This case study describes the experiences and perceptions of school staff and students participating in restorative practices (RP) community building circles during the first year of school-wide RP implementation. Data sources include (a) beginning- and end-of-year surveys of school staff perspectives and experiences with implementing RP, (b)…

School leaders across the state of California seek tools to reduce the use of exclusionary discipline and improve school climates. Research suggests that restorative practices (RPs) have the potential to achieve these ends, particularly when staff throughout the school implement, and students throughout the school experience, these practices.…

Policies exist to regulate the use of restraint and seclusion so that they are only implemented when necessary and following appropriate standards and procedures. These policies often focus on students with disability. This qualitative study explored school leaders' understanding, use and perspectives of the Restraint and Seclusion Policy mandated…

Schools are increasingly turning towards restorative practices as a pathway to building schools with stronger relationships, justice, and equity. While effectiveness studies are increasing, too little attention is focused on evaluating implementation. This resources is for audiences who evaluate implementation of whole school restorative practices…

The purpose of this study was to determine if implementing an honor code would diminish academic dishonesty at Tampa Catholic High School. Quantitative survey instruments were administered twice, in August 2009 and in January 2010, to measure the reaction of student and faculty participants to the introduction of an honor code. Survey responses…

This collection of essays on school climate seeks to provide a broad perspective on climate evaluation and to suggest activities that can improve working conditions in schools. Written by practicing educators who have exercised leadership in school climate improvement projects, the articles are divided into two sections: evaluation and…

This report discusses the implementation of integrated intervention strategies to improve the classroom behavior of 30 third-grade students. Students' disruptive behavior was identified from two classroom observations, teacher questionnaires, and interviews with the school counselor. Objectives projected for the intervention were that students…

This report discusses the implementation of a parent education program in a Long Island community. A questionnaire, which addressed the community's need for information for parents on child care services, was sent to the community's child care facilities. Responses indicated that parents had difficulty in locating an early childhood program, and…

To be both fair and effective, student discipline law and policy must balance two separate rights of students: the constitutional right to a public education, and the right to a safe and orderly learning environment. Procedures and laws to protect students from arbitrary and wrongful discipline are necessary, as are procedures and laws to allow…