Restorative Practices allow for a shift in practice that results in a culture that is inclusive, builds fair process into decision-making practices, and facilitates students learning to address the impact of their actions through an approach that allows for true accountability, skill building, cooperation, and mutual understanding.  When broadly and consistently implemented, Restorative Practices will promote and strengthen positive school culture and enhance pro-social relationships within the school community. 

Through Restorative Practices, members of the school community will:

• Have an opportunity to be heard
• Understand the greater impact of one's actions
• Learn to take responsibility
• Repair the harm one's actions may have caused
• Recognize one's role in maintaining a safe school environment
• Build upon and expand on personal relationships in the school community
• Recognize one's role as a positive contributing member of the school community

The underlying premise of Restorative Practices is that people are happier, more cooperative, more productive, and more likely to make positive changes when those in positions of authority do things with them rather than to them or for them.  Ultimately, people will learn to make positive, productive, and effective choices in response to situations they may encounter in the future after engaging in a restorative practice.

• Click here to read more about Restorative Practices in our printable PDF overview of the program at Roosevelt.