THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	151
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, COMPLEX AREAS, AND CHARTER SCHOOLS TO IMPLEMENT SCHOOL-WIDE RESTORATIVE PRACTICES IN THE STATE'S PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOLS.

 

 

     WHEREAS, studies show that suspension and expulsion, which are traditional methods of addressing disciplinary issues in schools, do not make schools safer and result in lower graduation rates and increased rates of involvement in the juvenile justice system, thus expanding the school to prison pipeline; and

 

     WHEREAS, restorative practices are a values-based approach to community building, problem solving, and conflict resolution that builds and restores relationships, creates opportunities for dialogue, repairs harm, transforms conflict, and creates equitable learning environments in schools; and

 

     WHEREAS, restorative practices encourage students to engage in collaborative problem solving, which empowers students and gives them tools to effectively communicate beyond the school setting; and

 

     WHEREAS, restorative practices, in a school setting, shift the emphasis from managing behavior to focusing on building, nurturing, and repairing relationships, while retaining the ability to hold students accountable; and

 

     WHEREAS, restorative practices focus on the impact of students' behavior on other members of the school community, rather than only on rule-breaking, and allows those impacted to find ways to repair the harm and restore damaged relationships, rather than imposing punishment; and

 

     WHEREAS, studies have shown that restorative practices can lead to reductions in problem behavior; improvements in school climate; and increases in student achievement, attendance, and graduation rates; and

 

     WHEREAS, there is a continuum of proactive to responsive restorative practices, ranging from community-building circles to restorative conferencing, which are accessible to educators who can then use those funds to successfully implement school-wide restorative practices; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2021, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Education, complex areas, and charter schools are encouraged to implement school-wide restorative practices in Hawaii's public and charter schools; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, Chairperson of the Hawaii State Charter School Commission, and Executive Director of the Hawaii State Charter School Commission.

Report Title: 

Restorative Justice; Education; Public and Charter Schools