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

Aug 2025

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

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

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

Jul 2025

This research brief details the findings from the Education Lab’s study of the effect of restorative practices in Chicago Public Schools.

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.

Latest Updates

Every Choice Has Opportunity: Inside the ECHO Curriculum
Event
UChicago Education Lab
Apr 2026

Every Choice Has Opportunity: Inside the ECHO Curriculum

The Crime Lab and Education Lab hosted a webinar to provide an in-depth look at the research behind ECHO, our approach to creating it, and an overview of resources and tips to get started with using the curriculum.

Philadelphia’s tutoring program shows promise but faces familiar obstacle: expanding it effectively
Media Mention
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Dec 2025

Philadelphia’s tutoring program shows promise but faces familiar obstacle: expanding it effectively

The Education Lab’s John Wolf spoke to Rebecca Redelmeier for Chalkbeat Philadelphia about our research showing high-dosage tutoring works—but only when students receive enough of it each week to produce measurable gains.

A Promising Start for Personalized Learning in Miami-Dade
Web Post
Griffin Catalyst
Nov 2025

A Promising Start for Personalized Learning in Miami-Dade

Griffin Catalyst highlights its three-year gift to the Education Lab to bring an innovative, high-dosage, math tutoring initiative to middle schools in Miami-Dade County to support and accelerate student learning in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial results from the program are promising, suggesting that this approach can help tackle learning loss and enable students to catch up to grade level.