Funneled into an unjust system designed to keep them marginalized, many profiled "at-risk youth" end up on a path to prison.
Mandated consequences are applied regardless of circumstances, context, or seriousness of behavior, resulting in lost educational opportunities for youth.
Each year, 3 million students are suspended
in American schools and the majority of these
infractions are minor and subjective.
- Dignity in Schools
On average, states spend about $5.7 billion
to imprison youth even though the majority
of these youth are incarcerated for nonviolent
crimes.
- Justice Policy Institute
Between 1986-2013, K-12 education spending
increased 69%, in stark contrast to the 141%
increase in state corrections spending.
- Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
California spends less than $10,000 per year to
educate a student and more than $45,000 per
year to keep an inmate imprisoned.
- U.S. Census Data
Parents are their children’s first teachers. Children mimic the attitudes, expectations and perceptions of their living environments.
Students living in poverty are more exposed to trauma and have less access to positive role models.
Exposure to violence outside of school greatly impacts a student’s attitude about school itself, and repeated exposure decreases a sense of purpose to complete an education.
Inadequate access to health care services connects directly to a student’s success in school and their social-emotional behavior inside the classroom.
Students bring their baggage with them to school and into the classroom. Zero tolerance kicks them out.
Students’ negative behaviors are encouraged when they are repeatedly removed from their academic environments.
Repeat offenses without proper support services and the consideration of circumstances criminalizes a student, instigating a path to prison instead of graduation.
When we work WITH our youth, we create change, increase positive behaviors, foster independence and reduce the chance of recidivism.
From 2008-2014, Hampstead Hill in Baltimore, MD experienced
a 91% decrease in office referrals after implementing
a whole-school approach to restorative practices.
- International
Institute of Restorative Practices
LA Unified reports a 92% decrease in the number of instructional
days lost to suspensions and a nearly 50% reduction in
expulsions.
-LA School Report
Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia, the 10th largest public
schools system in the U.S., experiences an extremely low
recidivism rate (only 4-8%) because of their restorative approach
to education.
-Vickie Shoap, Restorative Justice Specialist II
Restorative justice schools in Oakland witnessed a 60% increase
in cumulative graduation rates compared to just 7% in their
non-RJ schools.
-WestEd
Students still bring their baggage with them to school and into the classroom but now they are able to process it in a supportive environment.
Students’ negative behaviors decrease because they are held accountable for their actions in a constructive and inclusive way. A restorative approach helps students determine ways to break the cycle.
Students are matched with appropriate support services and become critical in the decision-making process, decriminalizing the people involved, promoting restoration instead of retribution.
Relationships are transformed between students and authority figures, promoting a healthy school climate with an equitable discipline process.
A nurturing and supportive learning environment increases probability for de-escalation and constructive conflict resolution with less repeat offenses.
Despite external circumstances, aggressive behaviors reduce and social skills improve.
Opportunities to practice forgiveness and empathy allows students to better deal with their circumstances and realize their actions impact a range of affected parties.
Funneled into an unjust system designed to keep them marginalized, many profiled "at-risk youth" end up on a path to prison.
When we work WITH our youth, we create change, increase positive behaviors, foster independence and reduce the chance of recidivism.
