Nov 2023

Video – From Retributive to Restorative: An Alternative Approach to Justice

Anjali Adukia Ben Feigenberg Fatemeh Momeni

This video provides an overview of the Education Lab’s evaluation of the effect of restorative practices implemented in high schools across Chicago Public Schools.

Restorative practices promote the development of students’ socio-emotional learning by encouraging self-reflection, empathetic listening, and the creation of non-judgmental spaces for conflict resolution. These practices focus on equipping teachers with strategies to support students rather than suspend them

The Education Lab study found that restorative practices reduce student arrests in and outside of school and for violent and non-violent offenses, and may generate positive, genuine changes in student behavior. Schools that implemented restorative practices saw a staggering 35 percent reduction in student arrests in school and a 15 percent reduction in out-of-school student arrests. The study saw declines in arrests for both violent and non-violent offenses.

Watch the video below.

Man smiling at camera

Watch the video

From Retributive to Restorative: An Alternative Approach to Justice

Related Resources
From Retributive to Restorative: An Alternative Approach to Justice in Schools
Academic Paper

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

Feb 2025

This paper evaluates the impact of Chicago Public Schools’ adoption of restorative practices on student discipline, finding decreased suspensions and arrests, particularly for Black students.

NBER working paper – From Retributive to Restorative: An Alternative Approach to Justice
Academic Paper

NBER working paper – From Retributive to Restorative: An Alternative Approach to Justice

Sep 2023

This paper evaluates the effect of restorative practices implemented in Chicago high schools, finding decreases and student arrests in and outside of school and for violent and non-violent offenses.

Becker Friedman Institute Working Paper- From Retributive to Restorative: An Alternative Approach to Justice
Academic Paper

Becker Friedman Institute Working Paper- From Retributive to Restorative: An Alternative Approach to Justice

Sep 2023

Read the working paper on the results of the Education Lab’s findings from a study of the implementation of restorative practices in Chicago Public Schools.

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