Restorative Practice Resources Tagged With: education

New research from the University of Chicago Education Lab finds that restorative practices in schools can significantly reduce suspensions and student arrests for violent and non-violent offenses and increase student perceptions of belonging and school safety.  

The study, which evaluated the effect of restorative practices rolled out across Chicago public high schools beginning in the 2013-2014 academic year, suggests these practices are generating genuine, positive changes in student behavior. Schools that implemented RP policies saw out-of-school suspensions fall 18%. There was a 35% reduction in student arrests in school and a 15% reduction in out-of-school student arrests. The study saw declines in arrests for both violent and non-violent offenses.

Calls for action on restorative practice in healthcare

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Restorative Justice has published an important and insightful report, Implementing Restorative Practice in Education, Health, and Social Care.

The report highlights compelling examples of restorative practice in the NHS, but also stresses its implementation is variable and hindered by common obstacles, including lack of funding, insufficient leadership buy-in and the absence of cohesive government strategy.

The International Institute for Restorative Practices (the IIRP), located in Bethlehem, PA, is the world’s first accredited graduate school that specializes in studying the field of restorative practices, providing education, research, and consulting services.

At the heart of restorative practices is the understanding that human beings are instilled with the need to connect and grow with each other. The IIRP supports students and community leaders with the tools they need to transform relationships and effect change within their own lives as well as within public and private K-12 educational institutions, public and private four-year residential colleges and universities, non-governmental agencies (NGOs), and community-based organizations (CBOs). Through strong academic offerings combined with a real-life approach to education, the IIRP helps mend issues and makes resilient and meaningful relationships thrive.

Dedicated to Growing and Teaching the Science of Relationships and Community Master of Science | Graduate Certificate | Professional Development The International Institute for Restorative Practices (the IIRP), located in Bethlehem, PA, is the world’...

Video: Relationships First: Restorative Justice Education Do you wonder what is at the foundation of Restorative Justice Education? Have you ever wondered about things as simple as how to organize a circle in the space you have available? This clear and accessible description of the foundational components of a holistic approach to implementing Circle processes is unique in that it answers questions many of us are hesitant to ask. 2018.

'Emotional literacy is a term bandied about in education and mainstream media, but what is it exactly? And more importantly, how does it enhance our work in the field of restorative practice? Being literate in something means you have a sound understanding of the concept and its structural elements along with the ability to flexibly apply the concept in various contexts.

Having emotional literacy then suggests a sound understanding of emotions – for example, their origins, their purpose, neurological and physiological components, their evolution over time, cultural distinctions, etc., and be able to use that information to benefit (or not) self or other in a variety of settings. '

This initiative aims to transform Newcastle into a restorative city by building social cohesion and healthy communities. Newcastle has pockets of disadvantage in relation to unemployment, income, education, housing, child welfare, and criminal justice.

The School of Law and Justice is initiating change by working with a growing network of community partners to support the city’s proposed social and cultural transformation.

In the criminal justice system, it is anticipated that there will be less offending, decreased recidivism, increased rehabilitation of offenders, and greater victim and offender satisfaction with the process.

Additionally, members of the community will be provided with skills to effectively build relationships and resolve disputes, which aim to result in greater wellbeing, social coherence, and improved educational and social outcomes. Workplaces and organisations will have improved communication skills, improved productivity, and strengthened relationships.

As a result, Newcastle will become a happier and safer city, where residents can address harm and inappropriate behaviour.

'IIRP Continuing Education brings together leading research, theory and practice. We offer a growing array of online professional development events to teach you concepts and soft skills needed to stand out in your professional environment. Our experienced instructors are skilled practitioners, adept at helping you learn and implement restorative practices in your setting. For more than 10 years, the IIRP Graduate School has pioneered master's-level online learning in the social science of relationships and community. Our faculty bring their wealth of knowledge to support the design and structure of our online offerings.'

'The Restorative Research, Innovation and Education Lab (RRIELab), described by the school as the first ever international lab to concentrate on restorative justice, is located at Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law. Dalhousie University, supported by the Donald R. Sobey Foundation, established the lab to transform the justice system and to safeguard the health, safety and well-being of individuals and communities across Canada through a restorative approach, said the school’s announcement. The lab also aims to deal with institutional abuses and failures and to advance the development of restorative cities worldwide, the announcement states.'

'Dalhousie University is officially launching the first ever international lab focused on restorative justice, with the support of the Donald R. Sobey Foundation. The Restorative Research, Innovation & Education Lab (RRIELab), located in the Schulich School of Law, will be led by a fully funded chair held by Professor Jennifer Llewelyn, a distinguished global leader in restorative justice. The lab’s vision is to be a global centre of excellence that will accelerate the growth and development of a restorative approach to protect the health, safety and well-being of individuals and communities in Canada. The initial focus of the RRIELab will be on accelerating the growth and development of restorative justice as a key component to transform the justice system in Canada, as well as supporting the development of restorative cities around the world and responding to institutional abuses and failures.'

'Our guest blog writers share insights and opinions on topics relating to restorative justice and relationship building.'

'A restorative culture, by fostering effective communication and continual feedback, creates an environment that maximizes professional learning for individuals and organizations. During this free webinar, three IIRP staff who have taken their professional learning to a deeper level at the IIRP Graduate School share how they have applied their studies in education, counseling, supervision and student services. Participants will reflect on problems they face in their own settings and how a restorative approach could help.'

'Fairholme College in Toowoomba has been using restorative practices for 15 years. It's used to build strong and respectful relationships within the school. This is the first in a series of case studies being produced by restorative justice researcher Dr Kristin Reimer at Monash Education. The idea is to foster a national network of leaders who use these practices.'

'We ultimately pulled our son from the district. I am a career educator and strong believer in public education. But I am a mom first. The school’s handling of my son’s torment and subsequently proposed solutions were unacceptable and there was not a chance I would keep my son in a school where their only way of protecting him was to change his schedule and dismiss him early. The “restorative” circle he sat in, bravely facing his aggressors, only made him a target for more torment. Now, don’t get me wrong. I still believe that restorative justice is a much-needed practice, but I can’t support the way it is being used as a consequence. If and when it’s implemented well, I’m on board. The reality is that theory and practice are very different things. My research of the theory convinced me that I should introduce restorative justice in my school, but my research on the practice in similar schools and districts had changed my mind. '

'At the 2019 Clio Cloud Conference, host Laurence Colletti is joined by Deanna Van Buren to talk about how architecture-assisted restorative justice can transform people and communities. She talks about her company Designing Justice + Designing Space, what they envision for a healing/peacemaking center, and how specific colors and sound can create calming environments. DJDS’s goal is to build an environment that represents equality and support through their restorative justice, education, and workforce development programs. Deanna Van Buren is co-founder of Designing Justice + Designing Spaces, a nonprofit harnessing the power of design and development to transform people and communities.'