Restorative Practice

Abstract

When discussing tools in antiracist school counseling, one cannot bypass the power and utility of restorative practice. Restorative practice and school counseling fit like a hand and glove with theoretical and practical alignment. This chapter draws heavily on the literature to inform its contents, providing a representation of restorative practices in education with an emphasis on school counseling. Restorative practice is a tool for schools to utilize as an alternative approach to punitive and exclusionary discipline. In this chapter, the authors provide an historical context of retributive discipline, tracing it to present-day practices and manifestations, including the disproportionate harm it brings to students of color and other students from historically underrepresented groups. Restorative practice offers a culturally affirming option for all stakeholders in a school community. This chapter explores the definition, implementation, and skills needed to move restorative practice from theory to practice.