Blending Restorative Practices with Multi-Tiered Support Systems in High Schools before and during the COVID Pandemic: Successes, Challenges, and Adaptations
- Resource Type
- Reports - Research
- Authors
- Vincent, Claudia G.; Girvan, Erik; Inglish, John; McClure, Heather; Van Ryzin, Mark; Svanks, Rita; Reiley, Darren; Smith, Scott
- Source
- Grantee Submission. 2023.
- Subject
- Restorative Practices
Multi Tiered Systems of Support
High Schools
COVID-19
Pandemics
Professional Development
Coaching (Performance)
Intervention
School Personnel
Attitudes
Parent Attitudes
Student Attitudes
Discipline
Discipline Policy
Educational Environment
Electronic Learning
School Closing
- Language
- English
We present outcomes from a study testing the effect of professional development (PD) focused on integrating restorative practices into multi-tiered student support systems on how high school staff, students, and parents perceive their school's discipline practices. A total of 16 high schools enrolled in the 2-year study during which COVID-related school closures and a switch to distance learning occurred. Eight schools assigned to the intervention condition received the PD and coaching during the first year and periodic booster trainings delivered remotely during the second year. Eight schools assigned to the control condition received the PD and coaching remotely during the second year. While results did not reach statistical significance, they were in the desired direction and suggested changes in staff perceptions favoring restorative discipline practices. Quantitative findings were supported by coaches' fieldnotes which described facilitators and barriers to implementing restorative practices during in-person as well as remote instruction. We offer recommendations for providing support to high school personnel and students as they move towards a non-punitive approach to discipline that favors community-building over rule compliance in real and virtual learning environments. [This paper will be published in "National Association of Secondary School Principals Bulletin."]