Restorative practices help build community, connection, and skills – and create an alternative to punitive discipline, which disproportionately targets students of color.
Restore360
Restore360 is a comprehensive program for creating equitable K-12 schools where students and adults thrive.
Effectiveness
Schools participating in our restorative practices programs have seen suspensions drop an average of 43%, incidents of disruptive behavior drop by 44%, and engagement increase.
Research
We're collaborating with researchers on a randomized controlled trial of our model for increasing equity through school-wide SEL and restorative practices.
Through full integration of social and emotional learning (SEL) and restorative practices, Restore360 helps all members of the school community:
- Strengthen their connections with each other, creating a more positive school climate
- Bolster their social and emotional skills and their cultural fluency
- Develop skills to resolve conflicts and problems in a restorative way rather than a punitive way
- Increase equity by reducing suspensions and the disproportionate use of suspensions
Morningside Center provides training, coaching, and tailored support to help schools make the shift to whole school SEL and restorative practices.
The classroom is where this transformation begins: All students develop their skills and a sense of community through daily or weekly restorative circles using curricula including The 4Rs (grades preK-5), C Squad (grades 6-8), or Building Belonging (grades 9-12).
Meanwhile, the school transitions to a restorative discipline policy, and staff members learn how to use restorative interventions to address situations in which harm has been done, creating an alternative to punitive discipline. They engage in courageous conversations about race to become more aware of implicit and explicit barriers to creating an equitable learning environment for all young people.
Restore360 engages all members of the school community in helping to lead the effort, including all staff, students (who serve as peer mediators, peace helpers, or circle facilitators), and parents.
Testimonials
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The skills that my students are learning through Morningside Center play out not only at school, but throughout their lives. They’ll take these skills to college and the workplace, and they’ll be better equipped to deal with conflict and remember what’s important to them – all of the things that will help them be good people.
Beth Mowry, Teacher, Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies -
We’ve created a whole different atmosphere – one of love and respect. Kids are less likely to get into fights. When there is a fight, they know that they won’t be demonized. They have a moment of grace when they can understand what has happened and why. Finding creative responses to conflict can be life-changing.
Brett Schneider, Principal, Bronx Collaborative High School