Restorative Measures in Schools: Evaluation Results

Source: (2002) Paper presented at “Dreaming of a New Reality,” the Third International Conference on Conferencing,
Circles and other Restorative Practices, August 8-10, 2002, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Restorative practices are being implemented in elementary, middle and secondary schools throughout Minnesota, as an intervention when harm happens. The practices and philosophy also guide hallway, lunchroom and classroom management approaches and school climate work. In this workshop, evaluation and implementation of restorative practices in all areas of the school will be shared. The results of a three-year evaluation project involving four Minnesota school districts will be discussed. Among other things, the evaluation noted that consistent application of restorative principles and practices-behavior management approaches and circles to repair harm-resulted in significant yearly reduction of behavior referrals and suspensions in one elementary school. Acts of physical aggression reported to the office in the school dropped from 773 to 153 over three and a half years of application. Author’s abstract