Creativity evidence-based juvenile justice Restorative Justice schools

Restorative practices are evidence-based

The idea of that certain behavioral practices are evidence-based began in the field of medicine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evidence-based_practice). “Behavioral health practice (here abbreviated behavioral practice) is a multidisciplinary field that promotes optimal mental and physical health by maximizing biopsychosocial functioning. Evidence-based behavioral practice entails making decisions about how to promote healthful behaviors by integrating the best available evidence with practitioner expertise and other resources, and with the characteristics, state, needs, values and preferences of those who will…

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Preventing the school to prison pipeline

Hawai’i is working to improve it’s juvenile justice system which currently imprisons youth charged with status offenses. Here is an op ed I wrote about the need to improve school discipline to address our state’s school to prison pipeline. The editorial is reprinted below and was published in the Honolulu Star Advertiser December 29, 2013 and is on line at:http://www.staradvertiser.com/editorialspremium/20131229_Improving_school_disciplinary_policies_would_improve_juvenile_justice_system.html?id=237807351 Improving school disciplinary policies would improve juvenile justice system By Lorenn Walker POSTED Honolulu STAR-ADVERTISER:…

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The Abecedarian Project shows early education prevents crime

The Carolina Abecedarian project is hugely persuasive, early education can prevent crime and it can help people in poverty get out of it. “The Abecedarian project was a carefully controlled scientific study of the potential benefits of early childhood education for poor children. Four cohorts of individuals, born between 1972 and 1977, were randomly assigned as infants to either the early educational intervention group or the control group. Children from low-income families received full-time, high-quality…

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Restorative Justice schools Youth

Restorative Justice For Schools

Hawai’i’s daily newspaper The Star Advertiser published an oped I wrote on Sunday February 3, 2013, about the need for restorative justice in schools. The piece is reprinted below. Howard Zehr also wrote an interesting blog about “Restoration is a metaphor” recently https://emu.edu/now/restorative-justice/2013/01/31/restoration-is-a-metaphor/ and in it he announced a  webinar will air on February 27, 2013 “The Promise & Challenge of Restorative Justice Practices in Schools” on Feb. 27: https://www.emu.edu/cjp/restorative-justice/webinars/rj-in-schools/ The webnair technology that Howard…

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PBIS schools

Restorative Justice for Positive Behavior Support (PBIS) in Schools

This was written in response to Paul Bruno’s, This Week in Education blog ‘Restorative Justice’ V. PSIS: http://scholasticadministrator.typepad.com/thisweekineducation/2012/11/bruno-the-perils-of-restorative-justice.html Thank you for expressing your opinion on this Mr. Bruno. As suggested by some, and I agree, restorative justice and positive behavior support approaches are consistent and compliment each other. Instead of framing this as: “’Restorative Justice’ Vs. PBIS,” I suggest: Restorative Justice for Positive Behavior Support or PBIS. Kris Miner also wrote a blog 2 years…

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Restorative Justice for Positive Behavior Support or PBIS

Thank you for expressing your opinion on this Mr. Bruno. Alternatively please consider that restorative justice and positive behavior support approaches for schools are consistent and that they compliment each other. Instead of framing this as: “’Restorative Justice’ Vs. PBIS,” I suggest: “Restorative Justice for Positive Behavior Support” and have just published an individual blog on it. Kris Miner also wrote a blog 2 years ago: “School-based Restorative Justice is PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and…

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Restorative Justice schools

San Francisco School Board Supports Restorative Justice

On October 13, 2009 the San Franciso Unified School District unanimously voted to “develop a plan designed to replace some student suspensions with more “restorative” repercussions.”  Instead of simply suspending students who violate school rules, restorative interventions will be used. Restorative justice interventions are especially relevant and necessary for youth.  Who can deny that childhood and teen years are a time of learning and discovery?  We have “ages of maturity” like turning 18 and 21 in…

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Restorative Justice schools

Zero Tolerence = Zero Reality

I write this from Barcelona where it is a bright sunny morning. Here is a good piece on Colorado’s experience applying a zero tolerance approach at schools post the Columbine School killings:  http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_12179638 The idea of zero tolerance reflects a zero vision of reality.  While of course guns should not be allowed at schools, imposing blanket punishments on students for rule violations ignores reality. The nature of childhood and learning, assumes making mistakes. Please read…

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