Is the Restorative Discipline Bandwagon Rolling Back? Five Reasons Why Its Roll-Out Wasn’t Warranted in the First Place (Volume 1, Episode 7)

Davey and Angela discuss Dr. Howie Knoff's July 8, 2023 blog that analyzes current research, concluding that Restorative Discipline (a) has largely been a media-fed bandwagon that (b) has never been validated through methodologically-sound research, (c) included many past, effective classroom management strategies in its branding efforts, and (d) has been maintained by a “group contagion bandwagon” buoyed by five dynamics that are discussed further in the piece.

Your Hosts discuss Knoff's analysis of a well-designed study in the Pittsburgh School District that showed limited effectiveness and even negative consequences for the schools implementing a Restorative Practice Program.

They also review the reasons why Dr. Knoff believes that restorative discipline has continued to be popular. . . despite its questionable (at best) findings. These reasons include people's affinity for simplistic solutions to complex problems, social contagion, and a reliance on anecdotal evidence rather than scientific findings. 

Davey and Angela further note that restorative practices are often merely rebranded classroom management techniques, and that addressing school discipline requires a multifaceted approach that focuses on bias, teacher training, and effective classroom management.

Finally, they note Dr. Knoff's suggestion for a complete rollback of restorative discipline programs, emphasizing the need for scientifically-proven interventions.