Reply to Dr. Reid replacing school discipline with “restorative justice” ?

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Reply to "Dr. Reid replacing school discipline with “restorative justice” ?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Dr. Reid says she is implementing “restorative justice.”

This is a portion of Michelle Reid’s weekly update sent to FCPS parents:

"The second initiative is our Restorative Justice Program’s new Responsible Pathway to Restorative Justice Facilitation. This pathway program will enable trained and endorsed members of Team FCPS to operate as school-based restorative justice facilitators. By this time next year, our goal is to have two of these facilitators in each of our schools. I’m thrilled about this program and how it will support us to provide excellence, equity, and opportunity for each and every one of our students, especially those impacted by discipline disparities. As I shared with the principals on Thursday, I know there likely are a lot of questions about these two initiatives! More information on our Instructional Rounds and the Responsible Pathway to Restorative Justice Facilitation will be made available in the coming weeks; stay tuned!"

Do you think this is a good idea?  Will this new approach increase or decrease crime in your child’s school? [/quote]

"This approach" is not explained in the OP. Does this mean no discipline ever? 
Or does it mean discipline that doesn't stay on the record forever so as not to disadvantage kids' futures?
Does it mean progressive discipline? Discipline coupled with counseling?

I cannot say if I think it's a "good idea" or not if you haven't explained what it is beyond inflammatory soundbites. And, yeah, I could spend the time parsing it out online but since OP brought it up . . . [/quote]

Sounds like most PPs are unfamiliar with it based on the many false assumptions.

Lots of info here: 
https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/RJInformationPacket.pdf

To answer some of your questions: 
[i]"Restorative Justice Practice is a philosophy based on a set of principles for responding to harm and
wrongdoing that is[b] victim-centered [/b]and[b] focuses on offender accountability[/b] to those who were
harmed and to the laws or rules that were broken. It also includes a principal-based approach to
establish and strengthen relationships."

"Criteria for Referral
This information is intended to guide administrators in making decisions about appropriate referrals
to a Restorative Justice (RJ) process. Once a referral is made, it is the responsibility of the Restorative
Justice team to make the final assessment of case suitability.

[b]Parent permission is required to participate in a Restorative Justice process.
[/b] Administrators should secure parent permission prior to making the Restorative Justice
referral.
 Administrators may seek support from their assigned RJ Practitioner when securing parent
permission and/or discussing the Restorative Justice process.

[b]Participating in a Restorative Justice process is voluntary for all parties.[/b]

[b]The offending student(s) must admit involvement in the incident[/b].
 There are differing degrees of responsibility in an incident of wrongdoing; however, the
student(s) must admit to being involved in the incident.
There should be clear evidence to support that wrongdoing has occurred.
 The process is not meant to be used as an investigative method for determining guilt.
 It the offending student(s) and those harmed by the wrongdoing agree that there has been a
violation and harm has been done, but they can’t determine or won’t acknowledge who is
responsible for what, a conference can help sort out specific acts and responsibility for those
actions – but the offending student(s) referred for the process must admit to being involved
in the wrongdoing.

Every student should have access to restorative justice and be considered for referral.
 Every FCPS student must have access to a restorative justice process. Offending students
must admit to being involved to access the restorative justice process.
 Students who receive services from a school social worker, school psychologist, or medical
professional always have the option to include that person or persons with them in the RJ
process as supporters.
Prior offenses do not preclude a student from being referred to a Restorative Justice process.
 Often student(s) do not understand the impact of their actions. Students can benefit from a
RJ process, even if a prior history of wrongdoing is evident.

All incidents of wrongdoing and violation of the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities
document are eligible to be referred to a Restorative Justice process.

In a Restorative Justice process, everyone adversely affected by the wrongdoing is a harmed
person. This includes participating students and their families.

Referrals can be made at all stages of the disciplinary process and for almost every incident or
wrongdoing, regardless of the seriousness of the offense.
 Referral can be made as a diversion from the traditional disciplinary process for appropriate
situations.
 Restorative Justice [b]can be utilized in combination with other discipline actions[/b] such as: oneday suspension and referral to RJ, as opposed to 3–10-day suspension. This option works
well for fighting and verbal altercations when both students admit involvement.
 A Restorative Justice process [b]can be initiated for re-entry into the classroom or school after a
disciplinary action[/b] has been completed.
 A referral to a Restorative Justice process should not be used as an additional punishment or
sanction for the offending student(s).[/i]
[/quote]

Here are some actual details for the current FCPS RJ program.

Does anyone have any real comments or do you just want to irrationally bash Reid and the school board? 
[/quote]

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