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

113 Pages Posted: 18 Feb 2025 Last revised: 7 May 2025

See all articles by Anjali Adukia

Anjali Adukia

University of Chicago

Benjamin Feigenberg

University of Illinois at Chicago

Fatemeh Momeni

University of Chicago

Abstract

School districts historically approached conflict-resolution from the perspective that suspending disruptive students was necessary to protect their classmates, even if this caused harm to perceived offenders. Restorative practices (RP) – focused on reparation, accountability, and shared ownership of disciplinary justice – are designed to address undesirable behavior without harming students. We study Chicago Public Schools' adoption of RP and find that suspensions and arrests decreased, driven by effects for Black students. We find null effects on test-score value added, ruling out meaningful average declines. We estimate a 15% decrease in out-of-school arrests, consistent with RP substantively changing student behavior.

Keywords: restorative practices, school discipline, human capital, restorative justice, behavior, classroom management

JEL Classification: I21, I24, J18

Suggested Citation

Adukia, Anjali and Feigenberg, Benjamin and Momeni, Fatemeh, From Retributive to Restorative: An Alternative Approach to Justice in Schools. IZA Discussion Paper No. 17700, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5142312

Anjali Adukia (Contact Author)

University of Chicago ( email )

1101 East 58th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
United States

HOME PAGE: http://home.uchicago.edu/adukia

Benjamin Feigenberg

University of Illinois at Chicago ( email )

1200 W Harrison St
Chicago, IL 60607
United States

Fatemeh Momeni

University of Chicago ( email )

1101 East 58th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
United States

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