SRO Restorative Justice in Schools 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student repeatedly disrupts class but has never been involved in a restorative circle. Which first step best aligns with restorative justice principles?
- Issue a suspension to reset behavior expectations
- Schedule a one-on-one affective dialogue between the student and teacher (Correct answer)
- Refer the case directly to juvenile court
- Add the student to a behavior watch list
Correct answer: Schedule a one-on-one affective dialogue between the student and teacher
Affective dialogue that allows both parties to express feelings and needs is the restorative starting point before escalating to formal processes.
Question 2: What distinguishes a 'restorative conversation' from a traditional disciplinary meeting?
- It focuses on assigning blame and consequences
- It is led by school security rather than counselors
- It centers on repairing harm and restoring relationships (Correct answer)
- It is conducted without the affected student present
Correct answer: It centers on repairing harm and restoring relationships
Restorative conversations prioritize understanding harm done and finding ways to repair relationships rather than assigning punishment.
Question 3: An SRO learns that two students had a physical altercation stemming from a months-long conflict. The restorative justice approach would most likely involve:
- Arresting both students to deter future fights
- Facilitating a structured mediation with both students and affected peers (Correct answer)
- Separating the students in different classes with no further follow-up
- Issuing citations and notifying parents without any face-to-face process
Correct answer: Facilitating a structured mediation with both students and affected peers
Structured mediation addresses the root conflict and allows all parties to share impact, a core component of restorative justice.
Question 4: Which outcome best indicates that a restorative justice intervention was successful?
- The offending student received the maximum allowable suspension
- Both students agreed never to speak to each other again
- The harmed student felt heard and the offending student took meaningful accountability (Correct answer)
- The case was closed without any documentation
Correct answer: The harmed student felt heard and the offending student took meaningful accountability
Success in restorative justice is measured by the harmed party feeling acknowledged and the responsible party demonstrating genuine accountability.
Question 5: A victim of bullying declines to participate in a restorative circle. How should the SRO respond?
- Require participation because the process only works with all parties
- Proceed without the victim by using a surrogate victim if willing
- Respect the victim's choice and explore alternative support options (Correct answer)
- Cancel all restorative efforts and pursue traditional discipline only
Correct answer: Respect the victim's choice and explore alternative support options
Restorative justice is voluntary; forcing a victim undermines their agency and can cause additional harm.
Question 6: Which term describes the written or verbal agreement produced at the end of a restorative conference that outlines steps to repair harm?
- Restraining order
- Restorative agreement or plan (Correct answer)
- Disciplinary record
- Behavioral contract from administration
Correct answer: Restorative agreement or plan
A restorative agreement documents the commitments made by all parties to repair harm and prevent recurrence.
Question 7: How does restorative justice differ from zero-tolerance policies in schools?
- Zero-tolerance is more focused on repairing relationships
- Restorative justice uses exclusionary measures as primary tools
- Restorative justice seeks to keep students in school and address root causes (Correct answer)
- Both approaches produce identical outcomes for students
Correct answer: Restorative justice seeks to keep students in school and address root causes
Unlike zero-tolerance policies that rely on suspension and expulsion, restorative justice aims to retain students and resolve underlying issues.
SRO Restorative Justice in Schools 2
A student repeatedly disrupts class but has never been involved in a restorative circle.
Which first step best aligns with restorative justice principles?