This paper presents a scoping review of relevant literature to characterise research on education in prisons. After reviewing 353 peer-reviewed articles spanning 10 years of research, we conclude that research on education in prisons in global research databases (i) is dominated by qualitative studies, (ii) is primarily focused on the…

Rooted in relational philosophies, restorative practices (RP) in schools are initiatives that seek to provide alternatives to exclusionary discipline. Restorative conferences (RC), in particular, aim to repair harm and reintegrate youth following a conflict. Despite abundant theorizing about conference benefits and hypothesized mechanisms of…

Discipline practices wield significant influence over the social dynamics within educational settings and profoundly impact students' ability to attain academic and social gains crucial for their success. The racialization of school discipline has been linked to negative effects on student's academic trajectories and life outcomes. Consequently,…

Disciplinary intervention is an important responsibility for teachers and administrators. Undesirable behavior must be addressed as it can cause disruptions to the learning environment and ultimately impede student learning and progress. A variety of punitive disciplinary interventions, ranging from time out to exclusionary practices such as…

This article draws on my time as a classroom teacher and my experience as a museum educator affiliated with the Center for Restorative History to argue for learning that centers relationships over education that centers measurement. The world we live in is shaped by a logic that prioritizes categorization, regulation, and metrics measured against…

The landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work is currently undergoing a critical evaluation and facing attacks, revealing the limitations of performative initiatives entrenched in colonial frameworks. These initiatives often fail to acknowledge and address the erasure of Indigenous and queer identities, alongside the need for…

Background/Context: Restorative practices have gained traction across the United States, featuring in at least 21 state education codes and numerous district policies. The existing research on its effectiveness underscores the implementation process, particularly fidelity, as a key determinant in whether restorative practices will accomplish their…

Students identified with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) often display a variety of challenging behaviors that can significantly affect both their learning and the dynamics of the student-teacher relationship. Addressing these challenges necessitates the development of authentic, meaningful connections between teachers and students,…

African American students continue to be suspended at rates disproportionate to same-aged peers. The purpose of this study is to use empirical evidence to determine the associated influence of restorative justice (RJ) on a large urban district by studying discipline gap data for the 3 years before and after implementation. Results of the study…

There are a multitude of challenges facing the education profession, especially our teachers in the field. Teachers are often dissatisfied due to two prevalent stressors: teacher workload and student discipline and behavior (Borg & Riding, 1991; Boyle et al., 1995; Chaplain, 2008; Klassen, 2010; Skaalvik & Skaalvik, 2009). Given the need…

As student discipline has become a growing area of concern in public schools, the staggering number of office referrals and student suspensions has caused principals to seek alternative methods to address student misbehavior. Restorative practices aim to change negative student behavior and restore relationships following behavioral incidents by…

Social justice-oriented teacher education programs infuse critical pedagogies in their coursework to build teachers' capacity to design and enact teaching that seeks to disrupt systemic oppression and injustice. Graduates of these programs often seek teaching positions in schools that serve working class communities of color with the goal of…

The challenge for schools and districts across the country has been tackling issues of equity and inclusion that lead to closing opportunity gaps for students. With this in mind, districts have employed schools to find alternative approaches to discipline. One option districts and school sites have is the use of restorative practices as both…

This article examines one institution's transition from a legalistic approach for resolving cases of academic misconduct to a learning-centered approach that embraces peer-to-peer student-led meetings. The article provides detailed information on how to train students on conducting these meetings along with suggestions for future research. The…

The COVID-19 pandemic and recent racial justice movements have made it very apparent that our current approaches to keeping students safe and healthy in schools need major restructuring and reform. The country lacks mental health supports in many schools at a time when students need them most. Students of color are being punished and removed from…