Suspensions and expulsions can cause higher rates of depression into early adulthood, according to research from the University of Arkansas reported in K-12 Dive.
Exclusionary discipline is not only an educational concern but a significant public health issue that requires policy interventions, the research emphasizes.
“Broadly speaking, we definitely need discipline reform,” says Alexia Angton, assistant professor of sociology and criminology at the University of Arkansas. “
Restorative justice, which emphasizes relationship building rather than punishment, is one alternative. Restorative justice approaches include identifying needs and repairing harm, active accountability by taking responsibility, voluntary participation and centering relationships and community so that all voices are heard, valued and respected, according to the National Center on Restorative Justice
Restorative justice is most impactful when it is a schoolwide approach to student well-being, according to DeMointé Wesley, the center’s assistant director of partnerships and communications.
A 2023 report by the Learning Policy Institute found that restorative practices improved academic achievement, behavior and school safety.
A starting point: Reach out to experts in the restorative justice field and learn about the practices and the skills and patience necessary for successful implementation.
Trying to use restorative justice in current school frameworks can be like “trying to shove a square peg in a round hole,” Wesley says. “It is a matter of taking the time and as much as possible restructuring and reprioritizing.”
K-12 Dive
