An Alternative To Suspension And Expulsion: ‘Circle Up!’

In schools that use restorative justice as an alternative to expulsion and suspension, chronic absence has drastically declined and graduation rates have increased. Oakland Unified School District’s restorative justice approach has resulted in a 50% decrease in suspensions, and at two sites, disproportionate discipline of African American students was eliminated entirely. NPR produced a two-part radio report on the experiences of students and teachers using restorative justice in the Oakland Unified School District.

In schools that use restorative justice as an alternative to expulsion and suspension, chronic absence has drastically declined and graduation rates have increased. Oakland Unified School District’s restorative justice approach has resulted in a 50% decrease in suspensions, and at two sites, disproportionate discipline of African American students was eliminated entirely. NPR produced a two-part radio report on the experiences of students and teachers using restorative justice in the Oakland Unified School District. Click here to listen.