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Special Reports
Special Report

Full Circle: California schools work to transform discipline

In this special report, EdSource examines restorative justice in California schools as an alternative to traditional school discipline. Many see the practice, which prioritizes mediation and relationship building over punishment, as a way to improve school environments and reduce discipline disparities that adversely affect students of color. Others worry that some districts are implementing it without adequate resources, which could lead to more chaotic classrooms.
Full Circle: California schools work to transform discipline
December 13, 2019

L.A. Unified’s ban on willful defiance suspensions, six years later

The Los Angeles district may provide lessons for California as it eliminates K-8 defiance suspensions across the state.

Carolyn Jones
Student Well-Being
February 12, 2019

Acclaimed restorative justice program on the chopping block in Oakland Unified

Students and advocates are loudly protesting a plan to significantly cut staff from the popular initiative, which emphasizes alternatives to punitive discipline approaches like suspension and expulsion.

David Washburn
Discipline
January 4, 2019

Restorative justice reduces suspensions in elementary grades but not middle school, study shows

Many educators say restorative justice has transformed school climates. Others say it is over-hyped. A new study by the RAND Corp. lends support to both sides.

David Washburn
Discipline
September 20, 2018

Suspensions in California schools drop, but trouble spots remain

Instruction days lost to suspensions dropped nearly by half from 2011-12 to 2016-17, according to a new report. But African American and Native American students -- and students with disabilities -- are still suspended at disproportionately high rates.

David Washburn
Discipline
June 21, 2018

Discipline reform gets boost in California budget

Efforts to expand California's ban on suspending students for “willful defiance," now limited to K-3 grades, also still in play.

David Washburn
Full Circle: California schools work to transform discipline
May 15, 2018

Resources often don't match rhetoric for restorative justice in California schools

While awareness of restorative justice is high among school officials statewide, budgets for programs remain tiny in most school districts.

David Washburn
Full Circle: California schools work to transform discipline
May 14, 2018

A South LA high school's journey back from the brink

Augustus F. Hawkins High, which is situated at the crossroads of multiple gang territories, almost died at its birth. A commitment to restorative justice helped save it.

David Washburn
Full Circle: California schools work to transform discipline
May 13, 2018

The rise of restorative justice in California schools brings promise, controversy

Many tout the practice as a groundbreaking alternative to zero-tolerance policies and a way to alleviate discipline disparities, while some say it's being oversold as a quick fix.

David Washburn And Daniel J. Willis