Restorative justice practices are an increasingly popular approach to behavioral management, rooted in relationships rather than the behaviorist approach of many traditional forms of schooling. Research on restorative practice implementation demonstrates that schools rarely have time to consider cultural change, as they rush to reduce suspensions…

Research supports the idea that low-income Black and Brown students are prone to higher suspension rates and are more likely to be labeled "troublemakers" for exhibiting the same behaviors as their White peers (Morgan, 2021). Middle school (6-8th grade) is an essential time, particularly for Black and Brown students, because they face…