Connected and Thriving: A Policy Toolkit for Expanding the Use of Restorative Practices in School Districts 

A new toolkit on school-based restorative practices from researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health gives school administrators the tools they need to shift school culture to foster healing and create welcoming environments for young people. 

Every year over 50 million students zip up their backpacks and head into classrooms at public and private schools across the United States. Beyond learning the basics of math, reading, and writing, students have the opportunity to develop strong social-emotional skills, such as self-regulation, empathy, and accountability, that are essential for a healthy transition into adulthood. Yet schools often struggle to support student social-emotional growth, in part due to punitive disciplinary approaches and a focus on discipline over community building. As a result, many students do not feel connected to people at their school and are frequently absent, increasing their risks for poor mental health, substance use, and academic difficulties.  

Restorative practices teach individuals how to communicate clearly, strengthen relationships, and create a community where all members are valued. Originating in Indigenous cultures, restorative practices have been adapted for use in K-12 education in the U.S. and other countries to improve school climate and student success. A growing evidence base suggests that, when delivered effectively, these practices can produce significant benefits for school climate and student academic success, prosocial behavior, and social-emotional growth.  

This policy toolkit, developed by Bloomberg Professor of American Health Tamar Mendelson, and collaborators Laura Clary, Melinda Scott, and the Restorative Practices Policy Toolkit Advisory Committee, evaluates current state and district policies, provides strategies for designing school district policy on adoption of restorative practices, and gives advocates and administrators the tools they need to build better systems for young people.