Which approach is least aligned with restorative practices in school discipline?

• A. Relying primarily on suspensions and exclusion.
• B. Emphasize relationship-building, fair process, alternatives to suspension, and data-tracking of outcomes.
• C. Tracking outcomes and using data to improve practices.
• D. Using alternatives to suspension.

Answer: (A)

Restorative practices in school discipline center on repairing harm, rebuilding relationships, and keeping students connected to learning. They emphasize working with everyone affected to understand what happened, hold individuals accountable in a fair and transparent way, and use strategies that prevent removal from the learning environment. Using data to track outcomes and continuously improve practices is also a hallmark of this approach, as it helps schools see what works and adjust accordingly. Alternatives to suspension, along with relationship-building and fair processes, are all core components.

The approach described as relying primarily on suspensions and exclusion stands in contrast to that mindset. It prioritizes removing students from the classroom rather than addressing harm, repairing relationships, or keeping students engaged in school. That punitive, exclusionary approach conflicts with the restorative goal of solving problems within the school community and supporting students to stay connected and responsible for their actions.