Restorative justice in education: What we know so far.

Source: (2013) Middle School Journal. 44(5):57-63.

Many middle grades schools continue to struggle with
how to approach disciplinary challenges in ways that are
consistent with the values espoused by the Association
for Middle Level Education (AMLE), Democratic
approaches to discipline often stand in opposition to
ctirrent zero tolerance policies, which rely on mandated
suspensions and expulsions to control student behavior
(Evans & Lester, 2012; Stinchcomb, Bazemore, &
Riestetiberg, 2006). Extensive research has demonstrated
the ineffectiveness of zero tolerance policies and the
need for alternative approaches (Advancement Project,
2010; American Psychological Association, 2008). A
review of several approaches to classroom management
and discipline by Evans and Lester (2010) revealed that
restorative justice (RJ) might be one such alternative. (excerpt)