Abstract

Restorative practices, non-punitive approaches to discipline focused on developing relationships and healing harm, have emerged as an alternative to exclusionary disciplinary actions, such as suspensions and expulsions. Despite widespread interest in restorative practices, there is little empirical research regarding their effectiveness. This cluster randomized controlled trial of 12 culturally-diverse U.S. middle schools will examine whether using restorative practices with a multi-faceted implementation strategy (a) reduces negative outcomes, including expulsions, suspensions, truancy, and bullying and (b) improves positive outcomes related to grade-point-average, sense of safety, and teacher support. Secondary goals are to identify factors associated with implementation success and conduct a cost-benefit analysis examining return on investment from societal and government perspectives. A mixed-methods research design is employed to address study aims.

Citation

Green, A.E., Willging, C.E., Zamarin, K., Dehaiman, L.M. & Ruiloba, P. (2019). Cultivating healing by implementing restorative practices for youth: Protocol for a cluster randomized trial. International Journal of Educational Research, 93(1), 168-176. Elsevier Ltd. Retrieved October 1, 2023 from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/207109/.

Keywords

• Expulsion
• implementation
• mixed methods
• Restorative practices
• School climate
• Suspension