Restorative Justice/Restorative Practices

How to access this practice?

Visit https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/health-safety-discipline/restorative-discipline-practices-in-texas to review available training options and resources.

What is the practice? 

Restorative practices are relational approaches that foster school climate and address student behavior by prioritizing belonging over exclusion, social engagement over control, and meaningful accountability over punishment. Building strong relationships and a sense of community is at the heart of these practices. Restorative practices are known to be used within school behavior management systems to ensure students focus on repairing social injury and damage. Additionally, these practices are intended to create positive school learning environments.  

Who is the practice for? 

Restorative practices are for the whole school community including educators, students, support staff, and families.  

What outcomes does the practice produce? 

• Improve school climate  
• Improve social skills and classroom behavior 
• Increase school connectedness 
• Reduce problem behaviors  

What is the evidence or research that supports the practice? 

Augustine, C. H., Engberg, J., Grimm, G. E., Lee, E., Wang, E. L., Christianson, K., & Joseph, A. A. (2018). Can Restorative Practices Improve School Climate and Curb Suspensions? An Evaluation of the Impact of Restorative Practices in a Mid-Sized Urban School District. Research Report. RR-2840-DOJ. In RAND Corporation. RAND Corporation. https://doi.org/10.7249/RR2840 

This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) over 2 years with 44 schools. Each campus was randomly placed in a treatment group, receiving restorative practice implementation, and a control group not receiving implementation. Implementation of restorative practices was measured through researcher observations, surveys, and interviews of school staff. Impact of implementation was measured using data reflecting school discipline, attendance, achievement, student ratings of teachers and teacher ratings of school level learning conditions. Results showed that schools implementing restorative practices significantly decreased the number of days of suspension and the number of suspensions relative to schools that did not implement restorative practices. Teachers also reported that their relationships with students was also better when implementing restorative practices.  

Gregory, A., Clawson, K., Davis, A., & Gerewitz, J. (2016). The Promise of Restorative Practices to Transform Teacher-Student Relationships and Achieve Equity in School Discipline. Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation, 26(4), 325–353. https://doi.org/10.1080/10474412.2014.929950 

In this study, the impact of implementation of restorative practices student relationships was evaluated within 2 high schools. Researchers measured teacher student relationships through surveys administered to students (N=412) and school discipline records; while the impact of restorative practices was measured using a self-assessment completed by teachers (N=29) and students. Results showed that overall, the stronger implementation of restorative practices where, the more respect students had for teachers. Additionally, in this study increased implementation of restorative practices showed reduced use of exclusionary discipline across each school.   

How is the practice implemented? 

Restorative practices are best implemented throughout the whole school community. Educators and school personnel should become trained in restorative practice techniques to implement within classrooms and throughout the school community. Restorative practices should be implemented to support trauma and grief-informed care in schools.  

Who can implement the practice? 

Restorative practices can be implemented by educators across school systems. This includes classroom teachers, administrators, student support staff, professional school counselors, and behavioral health clinicians. 

What are the costs and commitments associated with becoming trained in this practice? 

The costs of implementing restorative practices are primarily associated with training the school community, time to implement restorative practice techniques, and other resources like space and materials.  

What resources are useful for understanding or implementing the practice? 

• Texas Education Agency (TEA) Restorative Practices Training and Information: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/health-safety-discipline/restorative-practices-made-simple 
• Texas School Safety Center Restorative Practices for Educators: https://txssc.txstate.edu/events/rest-practices/ 

Rating: Well-Supported 

Secondary components: Building Relationships, Managing Emotions, and Decision Making Skills; Grief and Trauma-Informed Practices; Positive, Safe, and Supportive School Climates