Restorative Justice is struggling to show success in MCPS according to students, parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son was assault this year. The counselor asked son and offender to sit together with guided interactions by counselor. I guess this was the restorative justice.

Son refused just as I would have refused sitting for some bs with a maniac who physically assaulted me.

So let your children know that RJ is opt out if they like.

That is true. Dr. McKnight even acknowledged that recently. But what is their Plan B if people opt out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son was assault this year. The counselor asked son and offender to sit together with guided interactions by counselor. I guess this was the restorative justice.

Son refused just as I would have refused sitting for some bs with a maniac who physically assaulted me.

So let your children know that RJ is opt out if they like.

So how was this supposed to work? The bully is annoyed with the sit down, realizes that there are no actual consequences, and starts up again? Is that how RJ works?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem to be going any better at FCPS. My child's elementary school really pushed for it for a bullying situation in lieu of actually doing anything. The RJ mediator met with the students and opted not to go forward with the process. So, the thing that the school was relying on isn't going to happen.

Naive parents got tricked into this nonsense.

There is a bullying incident in my child's classroom a week ago where they used RJ and it worked beautifully. The problem was completely resolved.

Per MCPS's own report, it's not working "beautifully". It's an abysmal failure.

Well, at our school, RJ helped put an end to my kid being bullied so I have to disagree. It works great.

Can you elaborate? How did it work?

A classmate was punching and pushing my kid down at recess daily. The teacher used RJ and got the kids together in a circle to talk. Afterward, the bully ceased bullying. Despite the many complaints here at least where my kid was concerned it seemed like a great resolution.

As I suspected, this was an elementary school issue. RJ seems most appropriate for many elementary school-level conflicts like this. Where RJ falls about is in the secondary schools where the conflicts can be more fraught with danger and harm beyond hurt feelings.

It's great to just say it only works for ES, but these anecdotal claims are wearing thin.

Could you please post some research studies that speak to the questions being asked here?

No, are your fingers broken or do you have research studies that you would like to add?
As a parent I'm appalled at this social experiment that lacks any sort of grounding in practice which is making my child more stressed out, unsafe and is causing their teachers to be stressed and or leave. It's outrageous.

That couldn't be further from the truth. RJ has shown great results in countless studies. Sure, a few RW astroturfers are against anything that isn't corporal punishment but that's inevitable on DCUM.

Are you a teacher in MCPS? Trust me, it's not making a difference at all. Where are these studies?

Yes, I'm a teacher and it works miracles when applied correctly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son was assault this year. The counselor asked son and offender to sit together with guided interactions by counselor. I guess this was the restorative justice.

Son refused just as I would have refused sitting for some bs with a maniac who physically assaulted me.

So let your children know that RJ is opt out if they like.

So how was this supposed to work? The bully is annoyed with the sit down, realizes that there are no actual consequences, and starts up again? Is that how RJ works?

At our school, when my kid was being bullied, they sat down together with a teacher and discussed it. Afterward, the bullying stopped which works for me. Kid is happy and they aren't being bullied anymore.

[Anonymous]

Pure garbage. My daughter was bullied somewhat and we refused to engage in this ridiculous activity which would have made her feel worse.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem to be going any better at FCPS. My child's elementary school really pushed for it for a bullying situation in lieu of actually doing anything. The RJ mediator met with the students and opted not to go forward with the process. So, the thing that the school was relying on isn't going to happen.

Naive parents got tricked into this nonsense.

There is a bullying incident in my child's classroom a week ago where they used RJ and it worked beautifully. The problem was completely resolved.

Per MCPS's own report, it's not working "beautifully". It's an abysmal failure.

Well, at our school, RJ helped put an end to my kid being bullied so I have to disagree. It works great.

Can you elaborate? How did it work?

A classmate was punching and pushing my kid down at recess daily. The teacher used RJ and got the kids together in a circle to talk. Afterward, the bully ceased bullying. Despite the many complaints here at least where my kid was concerned it seemed like a great resolution.

As I suspected, this was an elementary school issue. RJ seems most appropriate for many elementary school-level conflicts like this. Where RJ falls about is in the secondary schools where the conflicts can be more fraught with danger and harm beyond hurt feelings.

It's great to just say it only works for ES, but these anecdotal claims are wearing thin.

Could you please post some research studies that speak to the questions being asked here?

No, are your fingers broken or do you have research studies that you would like to add?
As a parent I'm appalled at this social experiment that lacks any sort of grounding in practice which is making my child more stressed out, unsafe and is causing their teachers to be stressed and or leave. It's outrageous.

That couldn't be further from the truth. RJ has shown great results in countless studies. Sure, a few RW astroturfers are against anything that isn't corporal punishment but that's inevitable on DCUM.

The whole reason RJ is popular in education circles is that it's done so well in every peer-reviewed study. Unfortunately, there's a lot of resistance to new ideas, especially from the right who prefer methods like corporal punishment and won't consider anything new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem to be going any better at FCPS. My child's elementary school really pushed for it for a bullying situation in lieu of actually doing anything. The RJ mediator met with the students and opted not to go forward with the process. So, the thing that the school was relying on isn't going to happen.

Naive parents got tricked into this nonsense.

There is a bullying incident in my child's classroom a week ago where they used RJ and it worked beautifully. The problem was completely resolved.

Per MCPS's own report, it's not working "beautifully". It's an abysmal failure.

Well, at our school, RJ helped put an end to my kid being bullied so I have to disagree. It works great.

Can you elaborate? How did it work?

A classmate was punching and pushing my kid down at recess daily. The teacher used RJ and got the kids together in a circle to talk. Afterward, the bully ceased bullying. Despite the many complaints here at least where my kid was concerned it seemed like a great resolution.

As I suspected, this was an elementary school issue. RJ seems most appropriate for many elementary school-level conflicts like this. Where RJ falls about is in the secondary schools where the conflicts can be more fraught with danger and harm beyond hurt feelings.

It's great to just say it only works for ES, but these anecdotal claims are wearing thin.

Could you please post some research studies that speak to the questions being asked here?

No, are your fingers broken or do you have research studies that you would like to add?
As a parent I'm appalled at this social experiment that lacks any sort of grounding in practice which is making my child more stressed out, unsafe and is causing their teachers to be stressed and or leave. It's outrageous.

That couldn't be further from the truth. RJ has shown great results in countless studies. Sure, a few RW astroturfers are against anything that isn't corporal punishment but that's inevitable on DCUM.

The whole reason RJ is popular in education circles is that it's done so well in every peer-reviewed study. Unfortunately, there's a lot of resistance to new ideas, especially from the right who prefer methods like corporal punishment and won't consider anything new.

This is not true. People are willing to try new ideas, provided there's demonstrable efficacy behind them.

RJ has some notions and ideas that simply don't make sense.

For example, RJ coaches say that RJ does not mean no consequences and no accountability, but they also insist consequences and accountability can't be punitive. When asked to give an example of a consequence that held perpetrators accountable but wasn't punitive, they can't muster up an example.

There are some laudable intentions and motivations behind RJ, but they don't seem rooted in the reality of the way human beings operate nor the limitations of the school system.

[Anonymous]

council is getting briefed on it monday.

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/council/Resources/Files/agenda/cm/2023/20230320/20230320_PSEC1.pdf

tons of data here but hard to wade thru

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem to be going any better at FCPS. My child's elementary school really pushed for it for a bullying situation in lieu of actually doing anything. The RJ mediator met with the students and opted not to go forward with the process. So, the thing that the school was relying on isn't going to happen.

Naive parents got tricked into this nonsense.

There is a bullying incident in my child's classroom a week ago where they used RJ and it worked beautifully. The problem was completely resolved.

Per MCPS's own report, it's not working "beautifully". It's an abysmal failure.

Well, at our school, RJ helped put an end to my kid being bullied so I have to disagree. It works great.

Can you elaborate? How did it work?

A classmate was punching and pushing my kid down at recess daily. The teacher used RJ and got the kids together in a circle to talk. Afterward, the bully ceased bullying. Despite the many complaints here at least where my kid was concerned it seemed like a great resolution.

As I suspected, this was an elementary school issue. RJ seems most appropriate for many elementary school-level conflicts like this. Where RJ falls about is in the secondary schools where the conflicts can be more fraught with danger and harm beyond hurt feelings.

It's great to just say it only works for ES, but these anecdotal claims are wearing thin.

Could you please post some research studies that speak to the questions being asked here?

No, are your fingers broken or do you have research studies that you would like to add?
As a parent I'm appalled at this social experiment that lacks any sort of grounding in practice which is making my child more stressed out, unsafe and is causing their teachers to be stressed and or leave. It's outrageous.

That couldn't be further from the truth. RJ has shown great results in countless studies. Sure, a few RW astroturfers are against anything that isn't corporal punishment but that's inevitable on DCUM.

The whole reason RJ is popular in education circles is that it's done so well in every peer-reviewed study. Unfortunately, there's a lot of resistance to new ideas, especially from the right who prefer methods like corporal punishment and won't consider anything new.

What a convenient and easy reason to use to defend a failing strategy that only protects bullies and not the victims. There are multitude of examples in my school alone where RJ has tremendously failed. One example is when a boy sexually assaulted a girl and the school convinced both parties to go into an RJ circle. Boy cried tears claiming terrible home life. Victim even felt bad for bully. Boy gets 2-day suspension and returns to the school only to do it again to the same victim. Victim is now in therapy.
Another example, victim is bullied incessantly and goes to the counselor to explain what's happening. The victim is forced into RJ circle even though she said multiple times that she did not want to be in a room with her bully. After RJ session, bully threatens victim, calling her a snitch, and threatened to beat her into pieces. Victim has a panic attack. Victim's parents are pissed and rightfully so, was able to get a COSA to move child to a different school. I am disgusted with how MCPS treats victims and continues to protect bullies.

[Anonymous]

Responsive Classroom works.

https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/about/

MCPS’ made up RJ model does not

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Responsive Classroom works.

https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/about/

MCPS’ made up RJ model does not

Not only does MCPS's RJ model doesn't work, but it is also not implemented consistently across schools. I think it's one of the worst things I've ever seen MCPS do, and it has been the largest contributor to the uptick in violence and fights at schools. In addition, it has brought down the morale of a large number of staff who feel like this has sucked the joy out of teaching. You top that with the removal of SROs, and we're just waiting for a disaster to happen. SO many teachers are miserable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem to be going any better at FCPS. My child's elementary school really pushed for it for a bullying situation in lieu of actually doing anything. The RJ mediator met with the students and opted not to go forward with the process. So, the thing that the school was relying on isn't going to happen.

Naive parents got tricked into this nonsense.

There is a bullying incident in my child's classroom a week ago where they used RJ and it worked beautifully. The problem was completely resolved.

Per MCPS's own report, it's not working "beautifully". It's an abysmal failure.

Well, at our school, RJ helped put an end to my kid being bullied so I have to disagree. It works great.

Can you elaborate? How did it work?

A classmate was punching and pushing my kid down at recess daily. The teacher used RJ and got the kids together in a circle to talk. Afterward, the bully ceased bullying. Despite the many complaints here at least where my kid was concerned it seemed like a great resolution.

As I suspected, this was an elementary school issue. RJ seems most appropriate for many elementary school-level conflicts like this. Where RJ falls about is in the secondary schools where the conflicts can be more fraught with danger and harm beyond hurt feelings.

It's great to just say it only works for ES, but these anecdotal claims are wearing thin.

Could you please post some research studies that speak to the questions being asked here?

No, are your fingers broken or do you have research studies that you would like to add?
As a parent I'm appalled at this social experiment that lacks any sort of grounding in practice which is making my child more stressed out, unsafe and is causing their teachers to be stressed and or leave. It's outrageous.

That couldn't be further from the truth. RJ has shown great results in countless studies. Sure, a few RW astroturfers are against anything that isn't corporal punishment but that's inevitable on DCUM.

The whole reason RJ is popular in education circles is that it's done so well in every peer-reviewed study. Unfortunately, there's a lot of resistance to new ideas, especially from the right who prefer methods like corporal punishment and won't consider anything new.

This is not true. People are willing to try new ideas, provided there's demonstrable efficacy behind them.

RJ has some notions and ideas that simply don't make sense.

For example, RJ coaches say that RJ does not mean no consequences and no accountability, but they also insist consequences and accountability can't be punitive. When asked to give an example of a consequence that held perpetrators accountable but wasn't punitive, they can't muster up an example.

There are some laudable intentions and motivations behind RJ, but they don't seem rooted in the reality of the way human beings operate nor the limitations of the school system.

It is true and just saying it isn't because you don't like it doesn't make it so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Responsive Classroom works.

https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/about/

MCPS’ made up RJ model does not

Not only does MCPS's RJ model doesn't work, but it is also not implemented consistently across schools. I think it's one of the worst things I've ever seen MCPS do, and it has been the largest contributor to the uptick in violence and fights at schools. In addition, it has brought down the morale of a large number of staff who feel like this has sucked the joy out of teaching. You top that with the removal of SROs, and we're just waiting for a disaster to happen. SO many teachers are miserable.

When it was used at our school to address bullying and worked great. I don't know where you get off speaking for everyone about its effectiveness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem to be going any better at FCPS. My child's elementary school really pushed for it for a bullying situation in lieu of actually doing anything. The RJ mediator met with the students and opted not to go forward with the process. So, the thing that the school was relying on isn't going to happen.

Naive parents got tricked into this nonsense.

There is a bullying incident in my child's classroom a week ago where they used RJ and it worked beautifully. The problem was completely resolved.

Per MCPS's own report, it's not working "beautifully". It's an abysmal failure.

Well, at our school, RJ helped put an end to my kid being bullied so I have to disagree. It works great.

Can you elaborate? How did it work?

A classmate was punching and pushing my kid down at recess daily. The teacher used RJ and got the kids together in a circle to talk. Afterward, the bully ceased bullying. Despite the many complaints here at least where my kid was concerned it seemed like a great resolution.

As I suspected, this was an elementary school issue. RJ seems most appropriate for many elementary school-level conflicts like this. Where RJ falls about is in the secondary schools where the conflicts can be more fraught with danger and harm beyond hurt feelings.

It's great to just say it only works for ES, but these anecdotal claims are wearing thin.

Could you please post some research studies that speak to the questions being asked here?

No, are your fingers broken or do you have research studies that you would like to add?
As a parent I'm appalled at this social experiment that lacks any sort of grounding in practice which is making my child more stressed out, unsafe and is causing their teachers to be stressed and or leave. It's outrageous.

That couldn't be further from the truth. RJ has shown great results in countless studies. Sure, a few RW astroturfers are against anything that isn't corporal punishment but that's inevitable on DCUM.

The whole reason RJ is popular in education circles is that it's done so well in every peer-reviewed study. Unfortunately, there's a lot of resistance to new ideas, especially from the right who prefer methods like corporal punishment and won't consider anything new.

This is not true. People are willing to try new ideas, provided there's demonstrable efficacy behind them.

RJ has some notions and ideas that simply don't make sense.

For example, RJ coaches say that RJ does not mean no consequences and no accountability, but they also insist consequences and accountability can't be punitive. When asked to give an example of a consequence that held perpetrators accountable but wasn't punitive, they can't muster up an example.

There are some laudable intentions and motivations behind RJ, but they don't seem rooted in the reality of the way human beings operate nor the limitations of the school system.

It is true and just saying it isn't because you don't like it doesn't make it so.

They tried it at our MS. It was a new idea. It was terrible. The new idea they tried did not work.

RJ is a terrible idea - unless you are the aggressor.

[Anonymous]

The idiots in MCPS should know that the lowest achieveing kids need the 3 Rs. Reading, wRiting and aRithmatic.

They do not need Restorative Justice.