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1/28/15
EBD Fast Facts #1: Restorative Justice
In Denver, CO, the number of police tickets decreased by 68%, out of school
suspension decreased almost 40%, and expulsions decreased by 82%. In
Palm Beach, FL schools, suspension days dropped by 130-300 days, referrals
decreased by 78% and absences decreased by 54%. In Oakland, CA,
suspensions dropped by 87% and expulsions were completely eliminated. A
Palm Beach teacher was quoted as saying that ...students like being
heard...many of our students... dont even know certain actions are wrong.
This opens the door to teach students acceptable and appropriate behaviors,
behaviors that will be expected of them in mainstream society. and a
student in Santa Fe explained ...I have gained self-confidence and have
found myself helping others. I realize that they are capable of being
accountable for their actions. I have also learned how to be a better person
by not judging others (American Institute for Research, 2013).
There are many benefits to restorative justice for all those involved. The
individual who committed the crime recognizes the affects of their actions,
takes responsibility for what they have done, becomes a part of the solution,
and changes their future behavior. The individual harmed by the crime has a
voice and choice in the process, tends to be less intimidated because the
process is less formal, can express their need for reparation, and tends to
feel power, safety, and reassurance.
While I could not find any articles relating to the impact of restorative justice
specifically on students with special needs, I personally think that it could
benefit that population of students more so than any others. Restorative
justice focuses so much on righting the wrong and learning from
experiences so when many of our special education students already need
that extra push to determine social cues, distinguish between right and
wrong, and understand what is and is not acceptable in a variety of settings,
I think that a process for learning and repairing what has been done is
absolutely perfect for our students. As quoted earlier, some students who
were being punished by disciplinary actions such as suspensions and
expulsions did not even realize that what they were doing was wrong. We
discussed in class that students with disabilities, especially
emotional/behavioral disorders and learning disabilities, are more likely than
their general education peers to be suspended and that disciplinary actions
like that are not effective (Bowman-Perrot, 2016). Restorative justice is a
positive alternative that will allow our students to understand what they did
was wrong, see its impact on others, and change their future behavior.
Fronius, T., Guckenburg, S., Hurley, N., Perrson, H., & Petrosino, A. (2015).
What Further Research is Needed on Restorative Justice in Schools?
(pp. 1-12, Research Report). San Francisco, CA: WestEd. Retrieved
January 25, 2016, from http://www.wested.org