The Effects of Restorative Practices on Student Discipline

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine if the use of Restorative Practices lowers discipline referral and suspension rates in school. The measurement tool was student discipline referrals from Quarter 4 of the 2018-2019 school year and Quarter 1 of the 2019-2020 school year, along with in-school and out-of-school suspension rates. This study uses a quasi-experimental design to determine the effects of restorative practices on student referral and suspension rates in school. The researcher analyzed the data using a one sample z-test. The mean numbers of student discipline referrals, in-school suspensions, and out-of-school suspensions under restorative practices (Mean =0.13, 0.03, and 0.07 respectively) were significantly lower than without implementation of restorative practices (Mean=0.46, 0.07, and 0.09 respectively). Further research would be beneficial to see the effect restorative practices can have when it is implemented over a longer duration of time.