The "Why" of Restorative Practices in Spokane Public Schools

[@sharonmast1292]

This is one of the best videos I have seen to explain restorative practices. Thank you!

[@summersifysummers4702]

Loved this! Thanks for sharing. Our district has begun to embrace, on a wider scale, the restorative practice approach!

[@lauraarpin7997]

This is a wonderful video - makes me proud to be an alumni of SPS!

[@margaretthorsborne8478]

Excellent summary that covers a lot of the why's!

[@christinamacgregor1045]

My question is there a level of problem that is addressed in classroom, and a level of problem that goes to the office? As in, if angry words are class level, and hitting a student office level? I love these ideas, but what I guess i am trying to wrap my mind around is which level of conflict goes where (classroom, office, etc) to be resolved?

[@davidperry4675]

All conflict can be handled in an RP manner. All conflict that starts in the classroom can be worked through with RP in the classroom until it can't (i.e., the conflict becomes disruptive). At that point, it is best to remove the student to another area of the school where an RP process can begin once the student is safe and has de-escalated.

[@ruthridgeway1086]

When we have had ideas that seemed good in the past but the students didn't understand how to participate and felt inadequate in their participation it didn't help. Perhaps this will fill in the gaps or help to fill in gaps that can make all of us feel more at ease in our surroundings and promote well being and education for a better future.

[@jedimasterham2]

This comes of as a sales pitch video to promote one big experiment. Does it also need the emotional music?

[@spokaneschools]

Hi there, jedimasterham2. This video is intended to introduce a new approach to promoting positive behaviors in our district. Since it's a somewhat weighty subject and a long video, our treatment does include music and other elements to keep the attention of the viewer. No sales pitch intended, just a variety of individuals in our schools and wider community speaking about their experience with Restorative Practices.

[@jedimasterham2]

At what point should a teacher employ punitive/retributive methods?

[@josephcastellanos9396]

@@jedimasterham2 Never, the point of this is to shift your mindset from that of a punitive/retributive paradigm to that of restoration. It is about looking at student's holistically and not just through one action.

[@jedimasterham2]

@@josephcastellanos9396 Purely restorative methods are not realistic, they don't work in the real world, and it only works to cripple children. Teaching children there are consequences and penalties is a better way to prepare them.

[@josephcastellanos1204]

@@jedimasterham2 They do work in the real world. This whole concept comes from the criminal Justice world. Studies show the rates of recidivism are lower in individuals who use restorative measures rather than punitive measures. Why are you even learning these practices if you don’t believe in them. Children don’t need to be taught a system that clearly has failed, why not teach the younger generations a better way?

[@jameshutchens208]

Done