Implementing Restorative Justice Conferencing in Rhode Island Schools

• In Event: Exclusionary School Discipline: Impacts and Alternative Policy Options

Abstract

Restorative justice provides a possible alternative to exclusionary responses (e.g., suspension) to student misbehavior. With NIJ funding, a set of schools in Rhode Island is testing family group conferencing with misbehaving students. The implementation approach used in Rhode Island involves training and other efforts to imbue restorative practices and a restorative philosophy throughout a school. Successful implementation of conferences requires a consistent process for referring students to conferences, which in turn requires buy-in and support from school administrators, disciplinary staff, and teachers. Implementing conferences also involves pre-conference work with students, families, and other participants as preparation for the conference, and post-conference follow-up to restorative agreements reached at the conference. Successful conferences address deeper causes of misbehavior, help students understand the impact of their actions, repair the harm, and develop supportive relationships.

Authors

• Michael Katz, Urban Institute

• Akiva Liberman, Urban Institute

• Margaret Goff, Urban Institute