Restorative Conferences

Alternative to Exclusionary Discipline

Restorative Questioning

Who? Someone at the school site who is familiar with the restorative questions and can keep a neutral tone
When? As soon as possible after the incident of harm
Why? Allows individuals involved to share their perspective, feel heard, and start moving into a restorative mindset
How long? This may take anywhere from 10-30 minutes

Pre-Conference Meetings

Who? Conference facilitator holds an individual meeting with all those involved
When? As soon as possible after the incident of harm
Why? Allows facilitator to explain the restorative conference process, build rapport with each participant, and give an opportunity for each person to think about how they want to answer the restorative questions
How long? Held over multiple days and may take 15-60 minutes per meeting

Restorative Conference

Who? Facilitator, individuals involved, persons of support, and school members
When? As soon as possible after pre-meetings are completed
Why? An alternative to traditional disciplinary measures where participants come together to heal harm done, hold the harmer accountable, create an accountability agreement and support school community re-integration
How long? May take multiple hours

Accountability Agreement

Who? Collaborative process with conference participants
When? End of conference
Why? Addresses specifically: how harm will be repaired; ensure that the behavior does not happen again; if and how the person who did the harm will give back to the school community; provide ongoing support for the person harmed; the person who did the harm and any other affected persons
How long? Varies; usually less than an hour

Following Exclusionary Discipline

We recognize that there are some severe incidents that require school leaders to make decisions regarding removal of a student. For these cases, school communities may still hold a restorative conference when the student has permission to return. The only difference is that a re-entry conversation must take place prior to beginning the restorative conference process.

Re-Entry Conversation

Who? Principal, student, parent/guardian, conference facilitator
When? Immediately upon return from exclusionary discipline
Why? Welcome the student back to school, explain that they are going to take part in a restorative conference to repair harm and ensure that a behavior doesn’t happen again, and differentiate the process from traditional punishment by passing off responsibility to a neutral party (facilitator)

Follow-Up Meetings

Who? Facilitator, conference participants, school representatives
When? Every few weeks following the all conferences as necessary
Why? Celebrate successes, keep participants accountable; make adjustments
How long? Every few weeks until the team decides harm has been repaired

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken (wo)men.” – Frederick Douglass