This isn't a surprise to anyone but the most racially motivated leftists:
This alternative method of discipline, called “restorative practices,” is spreading across the country – and being put to the test. Many schools are enduring sharp increases in violence following the return of students from COVID lockdowns, making this softer approach a higher-stakes experiment in student safety...
Long pushed by racial justice groups, the method aims to curb suspensions and arrests that disproportionately affect students of color. It replaces punishment with discussions about the causes and harmful impact of misbehavior, from sassing teachers and smoking pot to fighting (serious offenses like gun possession are still referred to the police). The hope is that students, through apologizing and making amends, will learn from their misdeeds and form healthier relationships with peers and teachers, making school violence less likely as they continue their education...
Denver, which pioneered restorative practices more than a decade ago and inspired districts to follow its lead, seems a good place to ask: Is the kinder approach working? Yes and no, and often the answer depends on the eye of the beholder. Suspensions have fallen significantly, in keeping with the intent of the changed discipline policy. But fighting and other serious incidents have not meaningfully declined, the district says. Other cities have reported similar outcomes, according to evaluations and school leaders.
Critics point to the massacre in Parkland, Fla., as a chilling example of what can go wrong. Nikolas Cruz, who killed 17 fellow students and staff members in 2018, was able to stay in school – and pass a background check to purchase the weapon he used – because the district tried to address his violent behavior before the shooting through counseling instead of referring him to authorities.
The article closes on a hopeful note:
Sam Song, a professor of psychology who evaluates restorative programs in Nevada, says they can’t be expected to solve the complicated problem of violence in schools.
“It’s so hard to make changes in schools, but we have lots of examples where restorative practices made a positive difference in a student’s life,” he says. “So if it helps only 50% of the kids, I think that’s worth it.”
Does it help 50% of the students? Count me as skeptical.
Three years ago, the first day of school, third period.
ReplyDeleteTwo boys, both bigger than I am, square off shouting invectives and making moves to fight. I grab them each by the wrist and march them to the nearest administration office. In previous years they would face a day or two in in-school suspension and parents would be notified. They would lose ability to participate in athletics or band for the rest of the grading period of nine weeks. With Restorative Justice in place, they returned to the classroom with a liberal AP who expressed how really really sorry they were for disrupting the first day of class. Needless to say, for the rest of the year that class was a zoo and they challenged my authority at every turn. That one action is what spurred me to retire early. I have never regretted it.
ReplyDeleteIn the frozen yet diversity-filled fields of Minnesota, a pyrrhic victory for counseling:
https://www.joannejacobs.com/2022/02/1-dead-at-school-where-coaches-replaced-cops/