Safety (Physical and Emotional)

Creating a safe, neutral space that avoids triggering shame or fear. This involves consistent, predictable responses and an environment free from threats, allowing students to focus on growth rather than survival.

Transparency

We build trust through clear communication regarding expectations and the rationale behind disciplinary actions. By ensuring students understand the “why” behind their time in ISS and the path toward behavioral change, we reduce anxiety and defensiveness, fostering a more collaborative environment.

Shared Power (The “With”)

Instead of a teacher holding all the authority, you use Restorative Circles or informal check-ins to ask: “What do you need from me today to feel successful?” This moves away from “policing” assignments and toward a mutual agreement where the student has a voice in the process.

Restorative Empowerment & Goal Setting

Instead of just silence, start the day with a structured reflection form or a one-on-one conversation. Students identify the root cause of the incident and set a specific goal for their return, such as “using a cooling-off strategy when I feel frustrated”.

Evidence Card 1: Sharp Reductions in Discipline & Arrests 

Implementation of RP often leads to a immediate drop in exclusionary discipline:

• Arrest Reductions:High Schools using RP saw a 35% reduction in student arrests in school and a 15% reduction in out-of-school student arrests.
• Suspension Rates: In Chicago Public Schools, implementing RP led to an 18% decrease in out-of-school suspensions. At individual sites like Cole Middle School in Oakland, suspensions plummeted by 87%.
• Violence Control: One persistently dangerous high school in Philadelphia saw violent acts and serious incidents drop by 52% in the first year and another 40% the following year.

Evidence Card 2:Improved Academic Performance & Attendance 

RP creates an environment where students feel safer and more connected, which correlates with academic success:

• Higher Graduation Rates: Oakland high schools using RP experienced a 56% decline in dropout rates (compared to only 17% for non-RP schools) and saw higher graduation rates overall.
• Test Scores: Research in California found that exposure to RP improved standardized test performance in English and math, particularly for Black and Latino/a students.
• Lower Absenteeism: Schools in Texas and California reported significant reductions in chronic absenteeism and improved student engagement.

Evidence Card 3: Enhanced School Climate & Equity

Restorative practices help bridge gaps in how different student groups are disciplined:

• Closing the Discipline Gap: Black male students in Chicago saw suspension reductions more than double the average student body reduction, helping to address long-standing racial disparities.
• Socio-Emotional Growth: Students report increased feelings of belonging and safety. The practice of using restorative circles allows students to develop empathy, manage emotions, and resolve conflicts peacefully.
• Health Benefits: Students in restorative environments are less likely to engage in risky health behaviors such as substance abuse or reported anxiety and depression.

Evidence Card 4: Impact on School Staff & Retention

A shift to restorative practices directly benefits teachers, administrators, and support staff by improving their daily working conditions:

• Increased Job Satisfaction: In a study of Minnesota Public Schools, teachers reported higher levels of professional satisfaction after implementing restorative programs.
• Reduced Turnover: Schools with a strong sense of community and trust for adults see decreased staff and administration turnover. When teachers feel safe and valued, they are more likely to remain at their school.
• Better Working Conditions: A randomized trial in 44 Pittsburgh Public Schools found that RP had a positive effect on teachers 39%; perceptions of their working conditions, making the environment more conducive to actual teaching rather than just “managing” behavior.
• Reduced Absenteeism: Large-scale research found that implementing RP significantly reduced problematic teacher absenteeism, likely due to lower stress levels and a more positive daily atmosphere.

Impact Card 1: Reduction in Recidivism

By teaching students conflict resolution and self-regulation skills, restorative ISS helps them understand the root of their behavior, making them less likely to repeat the same infractions.

Impact Card 2: Closing Disciplinary Disparities

Evidence shows that embedding restorative models within ISS can significantly reduce racial and socioeconomic inequities in how discipline is applied.

Impact Card 3: Increased Student Accountability

Instead of just “serving time,” students are required to reflect on their actions, identify the harm caused, and actively work to repair relationships with peers and staff.

Impact Card 4: Improved Reintegration

Restorative circles or mediation used at the end of an ISS term support a smoother transition back into the classroom, helping students reconnect with their school community.