This dissertation presents an in-depth examination of the effectiveness of restorative practices in a high school setting. The study was conducted in a regional high school and included both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. The results of the study show that restorative practices can significantly improve student behavior and…

Since the early 1990s, American schools adopted exclusionary sanctions such as zero-tolerance policies (ZTP) to reduce student misbehavior as well as to sustain school safety. Due to the punitive nature of ZTP, some schools have sought alternative discipline models, like the restorative practices, to manage student infraction. This mixed methods…

School districts historically approached conflict-resolution from a zero-sum perspective: suspend students seen as disruptive and potentially harm them, or avoid suspensions and harm their classmates. Restorative practices (RP) -- focused on reparation and shared ownership of disciplinary justice -- are designed to avoid this trade-off by…

Restorative practices are a way of humanizing education. Human existence cannot be silent, nor can it be nourished by false words. It can only move forward with true words, with which men and women can transform the world. The essence of human existence lies in the ability to transform and change the world. Humans are not designed to remain in…

Studies show that 46-75% of children experience trauma, often resulting in depression, anxiety, and challenging behavior as well as long-term physical and mental health issues. Today's educators, counselors, and clinicians need the right strategies to help. Written by experts with years of experience working with children and teens exposed to…

Student behavior management remains a pivotal area of consideration for pre- and in-service secondary teachers and administrators alike. Hoping to gain deeper insight into the intersection between student behavior and school climate an action research methodology is employed to invite students into the debate as active school stakeholders. A case…

In this reflective essay, I examine the impact of corporal punishment in Ghanaian schools by drawing on my experiences as both a victim and a former perpetrator of these practices. Through reflecting on the punitive discipline I endured and later enforced, I highlight the detrimental effects on students' well-being, self-worth, and engagement in…

This phenomenological study captured the experiences of elementary educators with the purpose of gathering their perceptions of the use of restorative practices and positive behavior supports in their schools with a particular focus on how these programs influenced school climate, their professional efficacy, and their job satisfaction. Results of…

Students placed in a traditional disciplinary program at school are not served in a way that effectively deters them from future infractions and subsequent contacts with administrators or disciplinary referrals. Also, the emphasis of many institutions is reactive, responding to incidents of misbehavior or misconduct. Instead, the focus could be…

Restorative practices and trauma-informed practices are being implemented in schools to improve the learning environment and reduce discipline referrals. This study aimed to determine how educators' level of understanding regarding restorative practices and trauma could affect how they interact with students that have experienced trauma. This…

This narrative account describes approaches to sanctions in primary school settings that also provide nurture groups, and the ways in which different approaches may be viewed as helpful or harmful to children's behaviour and to nurture group provision. It draws from research conducted as part of a larger comparative nurture group study examining…