Over the next weeks, we will work to develop ways to improve a school’s culture and decrease the number of in school and out of school suspensions. Schools under improvement should create a plan to address their school’s discipline practices, and they MUST include students in the process. We begin in Unit 4 to examine restorative discipline practices, as tools for shaping positive school culture.
Site leaders will facilitate discussions around culture, inclusion and the value of diversity. Students will define equity vs. equal and determine how the difference in these concepts impacts what happens in schools. Also, students will learn the importance of building an inclusive school community by incorporating restorative practices. It is vital for students to understand the negative impact of punitive measures.
In Units 5 and 6, students develop greater ability to use restorative practices, incorporating the five guiding principles of restorative practices – Relationships, Respect, Responsibilities, Resolution and Restoration. Students will use affective statements, lead restorative circles, and conduct informal conferencing (conflict resolution).
Students will research structural racism and implicit bias and examine its impact on school practices and student/adult interactions. An emphasis is given to determining disparities and identifying underlying, root causes for discipline issues in the school.
Student teams will select an offense, analyze root causes and determine solutions. Teams will submit their recommendations to the school’s discipline/climate committee and their local school board.
Site Leaders will introduce the plan to create student led public awareness campaigns focused on each team’s selected offence and solutions. Adult messages should reinforce students’ understanding that their voices matter and that they can be change-agents in their school.
In Unit 6, students are introduced to Peer Mediation, and our programmatic goal is to have this awareness and these experiences amplify development of leadership and problem-solving skills. A Peer Mediation Certificate program is planned, and details will be shared as a separate teaching module.