Accountable and Restorative Approach to Discipline:
A Guide for Caregivers
Fargo Public Schools uses an accountable and restorative approach to discipline, as outlined in the Code of Character, Conduct, and Support. The following explains how this approach works and how it benefits your child and the school community.
Key Principles
- Accountability: Students are supported to take responsibility for their actions, reflect on the impact of their behavior, and accept fair consequences.
- Restoration: Students are encouraged to repair relationships, restore trust, and re-engage with the school community.
- Shared Responsibility: Discipline involves collaboration among students, staff, families, and the wider community to create a supportive environment for everyone.
Accountable Consequences
Accountable consequences are designed to help students understand the seriousness of their actions. These consequences:
- Are directly related to the behavior in question.
- Alert students that their actions have impacted others and require accountability.
- Signal to the community that inappropriate behavior will be addressed constructively.
Restorative Interventions
Restorative interventions focus on teaching and healing. They help students:
- Repair Harm: Make amends with those affected by their actions.
- Restore Standing: Rebuild trust within the school community.
- Learn and Grow: Develop self-awareness, self-management, and social skills to improve future behavior.
Individuals involved in a conflict may be asked to participate in a Restorative Circle, Conference, or Re-entry Meeting. These are facilitated discussions where students, staff, and affected parties discuss what happened, its impact, and steps to move forward.
For restorative work to be effective, it must be voluntary, requiring the individual who caused harm to take responsibility for their actions and those who were harmed to choose to engage in the restorative process. Individuals harmed would never be required to engage in restorative work with those who caused the harm.
Closing the Loop
Restorative discipline goes beyond a consequence or intervention. Closing the Loop involves communicating with caregivers, teachers, and appropriate school staff to review actions taken, facilitate a re-entry meeting for suspended students, monitor students’ progress, and engage in follow-up support and interventions when appropriate.
Why This Approach Works and How You Can Support
Restorative practices strengthen relationships, foster a safe and inclusive school culture, and help students learn from mistakes while staying engaged in their education.
Families can support this approach by encouraging children to take responsibility, resolve conflicts respectfully, and reflect on their actions. Together, families and schools can create an environment where every child feels valued, grows from their experiences, and contributes positively to the community.