Frequent RJ use by teachers shows preliminary indications of reducing the racial discipline gap, though disparities persist¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · review r3 · q2
Currency · newest study 2016 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Gregory et al. (2014) found preliminary indications that frequent RJ use led to reductions in the racial discipline gap, with better teacher-student relationships and fewer referrals, but disparate discipline patterns were not eliminated. → Fronius 2016

Evidence¶

Fronius 2016¶

Fronius, Persson, Guckenburg, Hurley, & Petrosino. (2016). Restorative Justice in U.S. Schools: A Research Review. WestEd. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED596786

q2 · i? · review · r3

Narrative review reporting Gregory et al. (2014): teachers implementing RJ frequently had better student relationships and issued fewer referrals, with "preliminary indications that frequent use of RJ led to reductions in the racial discipline gap."

"The authors also found preliminary indications that frequent use of RJ led to reductions in the racial discipline gap, but that disparate discipline patterns were not completely removed from the school."

Discussion¶

Learner Variables¶

• Race and Ethnicity — moderator: an instructional effect differs by group

Related Claims¶

• Teachers who implemented restorative justice frequently had better student relationships and issued fewer referrals, with preliminary indications of reduced racial discipline gaps that were not fully eliminated — possibly the same claim (merge candidate)
• RJ serves a preventative purpose by building students' social and emotional skills, not only responding to offenses — related
• Experts report reduced suspensions and expulsions and improved school climate as RJ implementation successes — related
• Experts attribute their focus on RJ in schools to the failure of zero-tolerance discipline, disciplinary disparities, school climate concerns, holistic community approaches, and connections to youth development models — related
• Evidence on RJ's impact on academic outcomes is limited and mixed, with graduation-rate gains in one study and no GPA change in another — related
• Schools implementing restorative justice report decreases in exclusionary discipline such as suspensions and expulsions — related
• Comprehensive community school interventions show positive impacts on student outcomes including attendance, achievement, graduation, and reduced achievement gaps — related
• Exclusionary discipline harms students and disproportionately affects students of color, so tracking suspension data can promote positive interventions — related
• Restorative practices reduce exclusionary discipline and misbehavior and improve school climate, safety, and achievement, though implementation requires sustained investment — a broader claim this one bears on
• Shifting to restorative practices reduced exclusionary discipline and its racial disparities while improving climate and achievement — a broader claim this one bears on
• Exclusionary discipline disproportionately removes students of color and students with disabilities from school — related
• Students of color show fewer absences and less exclusionary discipline when taught by race-matched teachers — related