At Hinkley High School in Aurora, Colorado, when students create problems or experience conflict, instead of getting suspended, they get together to talk, using a “talking circle”, or as they refer to it at Hinkley, a restorative circle.
The results are promising.
Since the students, parents and administration have been meeting face-to-face to resolve conflict with conversation, the number of physical altercations has plummeted as this new type of disciplinary action, called “restorative justice,” replaces suspensions.
(WATCH the video below – or READ the transcript from the PBS Newshour)