The Impact of Restorative Practices on the Use of Out-of-School Suspensions

• In Event: New Insights on Restorative and Trauma-Centered Approaches

Abstract

The racial discipline disparities and the negative outcomes related to out-of-school suspensions (OSS) have led policy makers to consider other approaches to school discipline. One such approach is the use of restorative practices (RP). However, despite its popularity, the evidence base of the effects of RP and suspensions is extremely limited. We present findings from a rigorous cluster randomized control trial with 18 K-12 schools in a Northeastern state with approximately 6,000 students. Multilevel regression results showed that RP was not effective at reducing suspensions and that the effects did not vary by race/ethnicity, gender, or student disability status. However, we show large reductions in the use of OSS for students who had previously been suspended.

Authors

• Francis H. Lim Huang, University of Missouri
  Presenting Author

• Anne Gregory, Rutgers University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Allison Rae Ward-Seidel, University of Virginia
  Non-Presenting Author