RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PRACTICES: MAKING SCHOOLS SAFE THROUGH RELATIONSHIP

Restorative justice practices (RJP) are strategies and interventions that apply the restorative philosophy of relationships, empowerment, and collaboration to schools. Restorative justice practices have been shown to be effective across a range of important school outcomes including growth in academics, school safety, and relationships within schools (teachers, students, families). The benefits associated with RJP are causing them to become an increasingly popular approach to discipline issues in schools in the U.S and internationally. However, in order to maximize the potential long-term benefits associated with RJP, it is essential they be consistently implemented across all schools at a national level, which will require adjustments to existing educational legislation.