From Retributive to Restorative: An Alternative Approach to Justice in Schools

Anjali Adukia (), Benjamin Feigenberg () and Fatemeh Momeni ()
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Anjali Adukia: University of Chicago
Benjamin Feigenberg: University of Illinois at Chicago
Fatemeh Momeni: University of Chicago

No 17700, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: School districts historically approached conflict-resolution from the perspective that suspending disruptive students was necessary to protect their classmates, even if this caused harm to perceived offenders. Restorative practices (RP) – focused on reparation, accountability, and shared ownership of disciplinary justice – are designed to address undesirable behavior without harming students. We study Chicago Public Schools' adoption of RP and find that suspensions and arrests decreased, driven by effects for Black students. We find null effects on test-score value added, ruling out meaningful average declines. We estimate a 15% decrease in out-of-school arrests, consistent with RP substantively changing student behavior.

Keywords: restorative practices; school discipline; human capital; restorative justice; behavior; classroom management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I21 I24 J18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 113 pages
Date: 2025-02
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