Restorative Practices Resources

The resources reflected below include information available at no cost as well as resources that can be purchased. This is not an exhaustive list but rather a representation of some that may be useful for interested educators. There are many additional restorative practices resources available in online and off-line formats. Feel free to contact C-DRUM with specific questions or requests for additional information on training and implementation at cdrum@law.umaryland.edu.

Handbooks/Books/Website Resources

Handbook: Public Counsel. (2017) Fix School Discipline: Toolkit for educators.
Handbook: Restorative Practices Wroking Group. (2014, March) Restorative Practices: Fostering healthy relationships and promoting positive discipline in schools. Advane Project, American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, and Scott Foundation for Public Education.
Handbook:Oakland Unified School District. (2013). Peer restorative justice program guide. 2nd edition. Oakland Unified School District and Oakland Fund for Children and Youth.
Handbook: Alameda County Health Care Services Agency School Health Services Coalition. (2011). Restorative justice: A working guide for our schools.
Book: Pranis, K., & Boyes-Watson, C. (2020). Circle forward: Building a restorative school community. Revised edition. Living Justice.
Book: Riestenberg, N. (2012). Circle in the square: Building community and repairing harm in school. 1st edition. Living Justice.
Book: Pranis, K. (2005). The little book of circle processes: A new/old approach to peacemaking. Good Books.
Book: Amstutz, L. S., & Mullet, J. H. (2005). The little book of restorative discipline for schools: Teaching responsibility; creating caring climates. Good Books.
Book: Costello, B., Wachtel, J., & Wachtel, T. (2010). Restorative circles in schools: Building community and enhancing learning. International Institute for Restorative Practices.
Book:Costello, B., Wachtel, J., & Wachtel, T. (2009). The Restorative practices handbook: For teachers, disciplinarians and administrators. International Institute for Restorative Practices.
Book: George, G. (2016.) Teaching with mind and heart: Affect in the restorative school. RP for Schools.
Worksheet: C-DRUM (2014). Restorative practices planning: What approach fits your school/district?

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Circles

Handbook: Pranis, K. Circle keeper’s handbook. For greater detail, see Pranis, K. (2005). The little book of circle processes: A new/old approach to peacemaking. Good Books.
Worksheet: C-DRUM (n.d.). Implementing classroom circles [Worksheet].
Worksheet: C-DRUM (n.d.) Issues for which circles may be appropriate [Worksheet].
Worksheet: C-DRUM (n.d.) Using circles as an instructional tool [Worksheet].
Video: Wide Angle Productions. (2017, February). Restorative circles [Video]. Vimeo.
Description of school-based restorative practictes generally, with a focus on application and benefits of classroom circles. (2:30 minutes)
Video: Freeman, C. (2013, April 22). Restorative welcome and re-entry circle [Video]. YouTube.
Filmed at Bunche High School in Oakland, this video conveys the critical importance of re-integration when a student has been removed, in this case returning from prison. The film was made in collaboration by Oakland Unified School District and Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth. (14 minutes)
Video: Edutopia. (2014, July 4). Using dialogue circles to support classroom management [Video]. YouTube.
The video provides a brief example of dialogue circles at Glenview Elementary School in a diverse population in Oakland, California. The teacher demonstrates how she uses mindfulness to begin circles. This segment includes students collaborating to resolve conflict around issues such as bullying. (4:04 minutes)

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For Implementation and Training

Abramson, L., Grochal, B. S., Johnson, T., & Rockefeller, K. (n.d.). Implementing restorative practices ("rp") in schools (implementation science guidelines) [Tipsheet].
Sample prompting questions/topics for circles. Adapted from Cole, K. & Dedinsky, P. (n.d.). Restorative justice practices, Milwaukee Publis Schools. Safe Schools/Healthy Students [Tipsheet].
Thorsborne, M. (n.d.). How restorative am I? [Worksheet].
Thorsborne, M. (n.d.). The restorative school survey [Worksheet]. For use in the implementation of the whole-school approach to restorative practices.
C-DRUM. (2014). Restorative practices planning: SWOT analysis [Worksheet].
C-DRUM. (2014). Restorative practices initial planning questions [Worksheet].
C-DRUM. (2014). Community building cirlces: Questions for all ages [Tipsheet].
Blood, P., & Thorsborne, M. (2005). The challenge of culture change: Embedding restorativer practice in xchools [Conference paper].

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Trauma Informed Restorative Practices

Brummer, J. (2020, November 30). An introduction to trauma: Informed restorative practices [Webinar]. YouTube. (49:50 minutes). Joe Brummer, a national expert in a trauma informed approaches to restorative justice, discusses the impact of trauma in educational settings and the value of restorative approaches in responding to challenging behavior.
Saufler, C. (2011). School climate, the brain and connection to school [Conference paper].

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Equitable and Culturally Responsive Practices

Laird, L. (2019, July 24). Students of color with disabilities are being pushed into the school-to-prison pipeline, study finds. ABA Journal.
Muhammad, A-M. (2021, May 4). Restorative Approaches: From Reform to Real Social Justice [Webinar]. YouTube. (49 minutes). Presented by the Maryland Restorative Approaches Collaborative and featuring Dr. Abdul-Malik Muhammad, founder Akoben LLD and Transforming Lives, Inc. the interactive presentation focuses on building restorative practices that transform school systems rather than replicating the existing power dynamics. Dr. Muhammad emphasizes the necessity to revolutionize this work, especially in service to building just systems and dismantling punitive systems that harm students, especially students of color.

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Articles

Skiba, R. J. & Losen, D. J. (Winter 2015-2016). From reaction to prevention: turning the page on school discipline. American Educator.
Wachtel, T. (2013). Defining Restorative. International Institute for Restorative Practices.
Steven, J. E. (2012, April 23). Lincoln High School in Walla Walla, WA, tries new approach to school discipline. ACES Too High News.
Mirsky, L., (2011, May 26). Restorative practices: Whole-School change to build safer, saner school communities. IIRP News.
Riestenberg, N. (2008). Applying the framework: Positive youth development and restorative practices. Journal of Youth Development, 3(1).

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Research

Open Society Institute-Baltimore. (2020, September). Restorative practices in Baltimore City schools: research updates and implementation guide.
International Institute for Restorative Practices. (2014). Improving school climate, evidence from schools implementing restorative practices.
McMorris, B. J., Beckman, K. J., Shea, G., Baumgartner, J., & Eggert, R. C. (2013, December). Applying restorative practices to Minneapolis Public Schools students recommended for possible expulsion: A pilot program evaluation of the family and youth restorative conference program.
Open Society Institute-Baltimore & Baltimore city Public Schools. (2018). Baltimore City Public Schools restorative practices report.

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Policy: Maryland Legislation and Commissions

Maryland Commission on the School-to-Prison Pipeline and Restorative Practices. (2018, December 20). Final report and collaborative action plan.
House Bill 1287. An Act Concerning Commission on the School-to-Prison Pipeline and Restorative Practices, Maryland General Assembly, Approved by the Governor (May 25, 2017).
House Bill 725. Public Schools-Student Discipline-Restorative Approaches. Maryland General Assembly, Aproved by the Governor (May 25, 2019).

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Webinars

Grochal, B. S., & Drew, C. (2021, April 28). Engaging leadership, building infrastructure to support restorative approaches. YouTube. The one hour virtual chat provides local school system and school leaders with information regarding what is needed to build infrastructure to support restorative approaches in Maryland schools.
Grochal, B. S., & Drew, C. (2021, April 14). Why Restorative Approaches? YouTube. (1 hour 30 minutes). The program highlights the reasoning "Why Restorative Approaches" makes sense for Maryland schools today. The discussion considers brain research, special needs students, alignment with tiered systems of supports and SEL, and disproportionality.
McNair, R., & C-DRUM. (2021, March 30). The restorative classroom and beyond. YouTube. With Robin McNair, restorative approaches coordinator for Prince George's County Public Schools.
Thorsborne, M. & C-DRUM. (2021, February 23). The stickiness factor: Embedding restorative practices in school communities. YouTube. International expert Marg Thorsborne discusses the challenges of committing to and sustaining a schoolwide restorative climate.
Eisenberg, D. T., Smith, A. W., Webber, K., & Hornbeck, M. (2020, November 18). Building a restorative school district: A discussion of lessons from recent research. YouTube. Featuring C-DRUM's Deborah Thompson Eisenberg and Anastasia Watson Smith along with Karen Webber, Director of Education and Youth Development, Open Society Institute-Baltimore, and Matt Hornbeck, Principal, Hampstead Hill Academy.
Catania, P., & C-DRUM. (2020, November 10). Using a restorative practice mindset to positively impact school culture. YouTube. Educator and expert Phil Catania discusses his successful approach to fostering relationships in schools.
Yusem, D., & C-DRUM. (2020, December 1). Restorative practices for effective youth engagement. YouTube. National leader in conflict resolution and restorative practices, David Yusem discusses the essential importance of student participation in restorative practices implementation and the organizational structure adopted by the Oakland Unified School District.
Grochal, B. S., & Drew, C., (2020, December 15). MSDE and C-DRUM restorative approaches collaborative launch. YouTube. MSDE announces the collaboration with C-DRUM in promoting restorative approaches in Maryland schools.

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Videos

Fong, L., & Kugbo, L. (2018, June 9). Schools Resolve Conflicts By Getting Kids To Talk Things Out. PBS News Hour Weekend. This video highlights the positive impact some New York City Schools are seeing with restorative justice. (7:46 minutes)
C-DRUM. (2017, September 20). Restorative approaches to school conflict management. YouTube. C-DRUM partnered with Callaway Elementary School in western Baltimore City in the implementation of restorative practices. The focus was in providing teachers and administrators with conflict management strategies designed to increase student engagement in school, lower suspensions and expulsions, and improve overall school climate. This project was generally funded by the Charles Crane Family Foundation. (7:11 minutes).
Wide Angle Productions. (n.d.). Second chances: school profiles. Vimeo. A video highlighting the successful implementaiton of restorative practices in Baltimore's City Springs Elementary-Middle School. (10:43 minutes).
Wide Angle Productions. (n.d.). Second chances: Robert Murphy intro. Vimeo. A video describing Maryland's adoption of a new disciplinary policy to reduce suspensions, featuring Robert Murphy, MSDE School Completion Speacialist (4:12 minutes).
Pierson, R. (2013, May). Every kid needs a champion. TED Talks: Education.
A dynamic Ted talk featuring Rita Pierson, career educator. Ms. Pierson emphasizes the importance of adult-student relationships in successful education environments. (7:35 minutes).
International Institute for Restorative Practices Graduate School. (2009, May 6). From hostility to harmony. A group of teenage girls in Albany, New York, had recently fought each other in a violent brawl. The International Institute for Restorative Practices videotaped a facilitated restorative circle involving the girls (friends since childhood), their family members and supporters. This short film telescopes the remarkable transformation that takes place as all individuals in the circle are given a chance to freely express their feelings about what happened between them. (4:30 minutes).
Freeman, C. (2011, May 27). Introducing restorative justice for Oakland youth.YouTube.
The nonprofit organization Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth underscores the shift from punitive to restorative in this segment focused on urban high school youth at McClymonds High School in Oakland. (7:40 minutes).
Central Michigan Restorative Justice. (2008, September 8). Restorative justice introduction. YouTube.
Overview of the circle. When a high school football player in Lansing, Michigan finds himself in a serious conflict, restorative conferencing provides a mechanism all concerned to address accountability, empathy, respect and justice. (5:45 minutes).
Central Michigan Restorative Justice. (2009, July 21). Restorative justice: It’s elementary. YouTube.
This video contrasts a punitive approach to a restorative approach at the elementary level in Lansing, Michigan, with an emphasis on developing social emotional skills. (5:23 minutes).
Restorative Justice Colorado. (2010, October 19). Restorative Justice (RJ) in schools. YouTube.
When a student has money stolen from her locker, a restorative conference is used to provide a means of productively addressing the conflict at Montebello High School, Colorado. The data reflects a reduction in suspension and expulsion rates by 30% through Restorative Justice. (6:36 minutes).
Restorative Resources. (2013, April 19). Restorative justice in schools. YouTube. School suspensions and RJ have different messages and focus. Video about building relationships, teachers talking, mixed with facts in power point. High School students talking about their experiences and the different outcomes – focus on healing and accountability. (10:46 minutes).
San Francisco Unified School District. Restorative practices: Student voices. YouTube. San Francisco Unified School District has rolled out a District-wide implementation of Restorative Practices in dozens of schools. Restorative Practices is based on the assumption that students respond better when things are done WITH them rather than TO them. Students, of a broad range of ages, exposed to Restorative Practices reflect on how they feel regarding the use of Restorative Circle in the classroom. (3:57 minutes).
International Institute for Restorative Practices Graduate School. (2009, June 25). The transformation of West Philadelphia High School: A story of hope. YouTube. Teachers and students talk about their experiences and the great results using RJ circles. This video includes interviews with staff and students of West Philadelphia High School, which was on Pennsylvania's "Persistently Dangerous Schools" list for six years, but has improved immensely, due to strong administrative leadership and the implementation of restorative practices. (9:04 minutes).
Baltimore City Public Schools. (2018). School climate. Vimeo. This video highlights Baltimore County Public School's work in introducing restorative practices in their school communities. (3:09 minutes).

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Maryland Schools

Henry, M. (2015). Out-of-School Suspension in Maryland Public Schools, 2008-2014. [Policy brief]. Maryland Equity Project.
Bouchein, M. (2015, August). School-to-Prison pipeline: A comparison in discipline policy between Maryland and Texas public schools. [Policy brief]. Maryland Equity Project.
Parker, S. (2014, January 14). Government releases new guidelines to fix school-to-prison pipeline, what do teachers think? TakePart.
Tull, A. (2014, February 24). Maryland schools using conflict resolution to curb bullying, suspensions. WAMU 88.5.

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