Leadership Strategies to Implement Restorative Practices at the Middle-School Level
Leadership Strategies to Implement Restorative Practices at the Middle-School Level

Author: Kathryn M Freeman

Publisher:

Published: 2018

Total Pages: 116

ISBN-13:

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Middle school is a time when students may feel disconnected from their community. When applied in a school setting, Restorative Practice (RP) strategies proactively develop relationships and community and can rebuild connections between and among students, teachers, site leaders, and parents. It also changes the focus of discipline from punitive to restorative. This study focuses on how site leaders can implement RP at the middle-school level. The study uses data collected from site leaders (principals, assistant principals, and counselors) and teachers from five middle schools (grades seven and eight) in a suburban southern California school district. Data was collected using anonymous and voluntary online surveys that were emailed to targeted respondents during the spring of 2018. The survey was mixed method and included both qualitative and quantitative data questions. Quantitative questions were written to gather data on what strategies were currently being implemented at each school site and the site's progress toward successful RP implementation. Open-ended qualitative data questions sought feedback on strategies that were successfully implemented as well as barriers to implementation. Responses from both teachers and site leaders were compared to identify trends in the data. The findings and recommendations are that successful implementation of RP at the middle-school level requires initial and ongoing professional training. Site leaders also need to develop and communicate a clear vision for RP implementation at their school sites. The survey results also revealed a disconnect between the beliefs of site leaders and teachers at all middle-school sites regarding different aspects of the implementation of RP at their sites. Finally, resources, in the form of time, funding, and curriculum are needed for support. The findings from this study will add to the existing body of research around RP implementation, which can assist other school districts by providing them with recommendations to overcome some of the barriers encountered by one district.

The Knowledge Gap
The Knowledge Gap

Author: Natalie Wexler

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2020-08-04

Total Pages: 354

ISBN-13: 0735213569

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The untold story of the root cause of America's education crisis--and the seemingly endless cycle of multigenerational poverty. It was only after years within the education reform movement that Natalie Wexler stumbled across a hidden explanation for our country's frustrating lack of progress when it comes to providing every child with a quality education. The problem wasn't one of the usual scapegoats: lazy teachers, shoddy facilities, lack of accountability. It was something no one was talking about: the elementary school curriculum's intense focus on decontextualized reading comprehension "skills" at the expense of actual knowledge. In the tradition of Dale Russakoff's The Prize and Dana Goldstein's The Teacher Wars, Wexler brings together history, research, and compelling characters to pull back the curtain on this fundamental flaw in our education system--one that fellow reformers, journalists, and policymakers have long overlooked, and of which the general public, including many parents, remains unaware. But The Knowledge Gap isn't just a story of what schools have gotten so wrong--it also follows innovative educators who are in the process of shedding their deeply ingrained habits, and describes the rewards that have come along: students who are not only excited to learn but are also acquiring the knowledge and vocabulary that will enable them to succeed. If we truly want to fix our education system and unlock the potential of our neediest children, we have no choice but to pay attention.

Restorative Practices:
Restorative Practices:

Author: Rufus Lott, 3rd

Publisher: National Professional Resources, Inc.

Published: 2018-07-01

Total Pages: 6

ISBN-13: 1938539966

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The time for strict zero-tolerance punitive discipline approaches in schools is over. In addition to being ineffective, traditional exclusionary discipline is often inequitable and even counterproductive. Restorative practices offer a comprehensive alternative approach that promotes a positive school climate with strong relationships at the center, where all community members feel a true sense of belonging. When harm is done or conflict occurs, restorative practices provide a differentiated framework for working with students to restore relationships, repair harm, and prevent recurrences. The new, 6-page quick-reference laminated guide Restorative Practices: An Outside-the-Box Approach to Building and Sustaining Relationships in Schools by Rufus Lott III provides an overview of restorative practices and offers a three phase model with concrete strategies for implementing RP in the classroom: The Connect Phase - Strategies include relationship-building circles, using affective language, developing a relationship agreement, teaching emotional awareness skills. The Correct Phase- Strategies include restorative chats, restorative conferences, and restorative circles to collaborate with students to determine a way to right the wrong or repair the relationship, and continue with a plan to prevent future incidents based on acceptance of personal accountability. The Consequence Phase - Rather than arbitrary punishment, consequences are determined by first considering the desired outcomes are then selecting a strategy to achieve that outcome. This compact yet comprehensive guide will help educators begin their journey toward transforming school culture through implementing restorative practices.

Teaching Talk
Teaching Talk

Author: Kara Pranikoff

Publisher: Heinemann Educational Books

Published: 2017

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780325086767

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Talk is part of every classroom, regardless of grade, content area, or school location. So how can teachers harness the energy of talk to spark discussion, strengthen student dialogue, and deepen comprehension? Teaching Talk is a practical resource that will help you focus your lens on classroom talk, making the most of the student voices and ideas that are already part of your classroom, and increasing the potential for learning. Kara Pranikoff offers suggestions and strategies that can be used immediately, starting with a comprehensive list of questions to help teachers assess and reflect on student talk. Each chapter addresses an element of classroom talk along with concrete examples to help you: collect and analyze artifacts of talk provide opportunities for students to share their ideas create conversations orchestrated by students and grounded in their ideas strengthen both talking and listening in conversation reflect on progress, set goals and refine instruction. Conversation is the currency of most ideas in the world. With Teaching Talk as your guide, you'll help students develop the skills they need to be inquisitive, independent, and critical thinkers in all aspects of their lives.

Restorative Practice Meets Social Justice
Restorative Practice Meets Social Justice

Author: Anthony H. Normore

Publisher: IAP

Published: 2017-01-01

Total Pages: 235

ISBN-13: 1681237296

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Restorative Practice Meets Social Justice: Un-silencing the Voices of “At-Promise” Student Populations is a collection of pragmatic urban school experiences that focus on restorative approaches situated in the context of social justice. By adopting this approach, researchers and practitioners can connect and extend long-established lines of conceptual and empirical inquiry aimed at improving school practices and thereby gain insights that may otherwise be overlooked or assumed. This holds great promise for generating, refining, and testing theories of restorative practices in educational leadership and will help strengthen already vibrant lines of inquiry on social justice. The authors posit that a broader conceptualization of social and restorative justice adds to extant discourse about students who not only experience various types of daily oppression in US schools but also regularly live on the fringes of society. Chapters are written by a combination of researchers and practicing school leaders who believe in the power of healing and restoring relationships within school communities as opposed to traditional punitive structures. The dynamic approaches discussed throughout the book urge school leaders, teachers, school community members, and those who prepare administrators to look within and build bridges between themselves and the communities in which they serve.

Aspire to Lead
Aspire to Lead

Author: Joshua Stamper

Publisher: Edumatch

Published: 2021-09-21

Total Pages: 180

ISBN-13: 9781953852380

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Have you ever wondered if you could be a leader in your school or in your district? In ASPIRE to Lead, author and educational leader Joshua Stamper shares a guide for aspiring leaders to enhance their leadership capacity through active self-development and goal setting. Applying Joshua's A.S.P.I.R.E. model, which is infused with his stories of past failures and successes, will guide the reader in actionable steps to enhance their leadership skills. Exploring Joshua's voyage from artist to administrator, ASPIRE to Lead will push the boundaries on how to: ACTIVATE your journey Find SUPPORT from other leaders PERSEVERE through challenges Discover your IDENTITY Grow in your REFLECTION And EXECUTE your vision!

Restorative Practices in Schools
Restorative Practices in Schools

Author: Margaret Thorsborne

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2017-07-05

Total Pages: 67

ISBN-13: 1351704052

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Outlines the techniques to learn and apply when planning and facilitating school conferences. This book contains key documents such as preparation checklist, conference script, typical agreement, evaluation sheet and case studies. It includes guidance on: analysing school practice; deciding whether to hold a conference; and preparing a conference.

The Little Book of Restorative Justice in Education
The Little Book of Restorative Justice in Education

Author: Katherine Evans

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2022-09-13

Total Pages: 138

ISBN-13: 168099865X

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A fully revised & updated handbook for teachers and administrators on creating just and equitable learning environments for students; building and maintaining healthy relationships; healing harm and transforming conflict. Much more than a response to harm, restorative justice nurtures relational, interconnected school cultures. The wisdom embedded within its principles and practices is being welcomed at a time when exclusionary discipline and zero tolerance policies are recognized as perpetuating student apathy, disproportionality, and the school-to-prison pipeline. Relying on the wisdom of early proponents of restorative justice, the daily experiences of educators, and the authors’ extensive experience as classroom teachers and researchers, this Little Book guides the growth of restorative justice in education (RJE) into the future. Incorporating activities, stories, and examples throughout the book, three major interconnected and equally important aspects of restorative justice in education are explained and applied: creating just and equitable learning environments; building and maintaining healthy relationships; healing harm and transforming conflict. Chapters include: The Way We Do Things A Brief History of Restorative Justice in Education Beliefs and Values in Restorative Justice in Education Creating just and Equitable Learning Environments Nurturing Healthy relationships Repairing Harm and Transforming Conflict A Tale of Two Schools: Thoughts and Sustainability The Little Book of Restorative Justice in Education is a reference that practitioners can turn to repeatedly for clarity and consistency as they implement restorative justice in educational settings.

Restorative Discipline Practices
Restorative Discipline Practices

Author: Gaye Lang

Publisher:

Published: 2016-12-15

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9780985252786

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This book on Restorative Discipline Practices (RDP) will provide anecdotes and process stories by authors from diverse backgrounds including: classroom teachers, school administrators, campus coordinators, juvenile justice officials, community leaders and university professors.It will be an inspiration and reference for educators as they begin or continue to implement RDP in the schools.

Getting Smart
Getting Smart

Author: Tom Vander Ark

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2011-09-20

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 1118115872

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A comprehensive look at the promise and potential of online learning In our digital age, students have dramatically new learning needs and must be prepared for the idea economy of the future. In Getting Smart, well-known global education expert Tom Vander Ark examines the facets of educational innovation in the United States and abroad. Vander Ark makes a convincing case for a blend of online and onsite learning, shares inspiring stories of schools and programs that effectively offer "personal digital learning" opportunities, and discusses what we need to do to remake our schools into "smart schools." Examines the innovation-driven world, discusses how to combine online and onsite learning, and reviews "smart tools" for learning Investigates the lives of learning professionals, outlines the new employment bargain, examines online universities and "smart schools" Makes the case for smart capital, advocates for policies that create better learning, studies smart cultures