Youth Power and Restorative Justice in NYC Public Schools

The Center on Race, Law, and Justice, Dignity in Schools Campaign-NY, The Circle Keepers, and Restorative Justice Initiative invite you to learn about restorative justice – a transformative way to cultivate healing and culturally responsive public school cultures, practices, and policies. Punitive school discipline policies reinforced by school police, metal detectors, detentions, and suspensions contribute to oppressive school cultures that disproportionately criminalize Black, Brown, LGBTQIA+, and low-income students. Across New York City Schools, culturally responsive mental health specialists and programs are inaccessible, and sadly, many teachers have only been trained how to cultivate punitive disciplinary systems that translate into damaging classroom management practices and regressive funding policies. These policies and practices lead to systemic profiling and punishment, creating conditions where students of color face regularized and systemic violence. Restorative justice programs offer a transformative approach, centering youth power and leadership to foster restoration, safety, and healing.