Restorative Schools: A Consultation Case Study for Moving from Theory to Practice

Abstract

ABSTRACT The current case study examines the process and components of a multi-site school-wide restorative justice (SWRJ) implementation program. Using Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology and the Outcome Logic Model (OLM), the authors describe results from a collaborative program evaluation conducted by university researchers and external specialists implementing SWRJ in five middle schools. OLM results include operational definitions and analyses of the program’s implementation resources, activities, outputs, and outcomes, as well as findings surrounding gaps in practice and outcome monitoring. Key learnings from this case study included the importance of administrator buy-in, focused implementation teams, strong professional development systems, and the utility of systematic program mapping frameworks like OLMs. Identified challenges included leadership turnover in schools, overreliance on individual RJ specialists for implementation, and an imbalance of activities across the tiers. Implications and recommendations for organizational consultants, educational leaders, and school-based restorative justice scholars are discussed.