The Impact of Restorative Practices on Conflict and Student Perceptions of School in Secondary School Classrooms

This capstone sought to answer the question: How can restorative justice practices reduce conflict and increase positive perceptions of school in secondary school classrooms? The historical background of zero tolerance policies and the school to prison pipeline created a need for an alternative approach to punitive discipline in schools. Restorative practices provide an opportunity for students to actively engage in solutions to wrongdoing alongside those that have been negatively affected. Through affective language, group discussion, and a solution focused approach, restorative practices can have a positive effect on socioemotional growth, improved school environment, and the school to prison pipeline. The research gathered in this capstone informed the creation of a four session professional development series to help secondary educators implement restorative practices. The sessions contain experiences with the history of restorative justice, restorative circles, and an opportunity to plan for implementation in their own classrooms. Through these experiences educators can begin the transformative process of creating a restorative environment in their own practices.