Restorative Practices have the potential to change an entire generation of children.” (Baltimore
City Elementary/Middle School Principal)
Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) and other school districts across the United States
are implementing restorative practices (RP) to improve school climate by building meaningful
relationships in school communities, reframing school discipline, and supporting student safety,
well-being, and success. This transformational approach centers student voice and agency, and
enhances students’ engagement and participation in their own learning. The Center for Dispute
Resolution at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and Open Society
Institute – Baltimore (OSI) collaborated to create The Restorative Practices in Baltimore City
Public Schools: Research Updates and Implementation Guide. The purpose of the report is to:
Consolidate existing work describing the use of RP in public schools in Baltimore, across
Maryland, and in other parts of the country;
Evaluate progress made by Baltimore City in early implementation of its district-wide
restorative practices initiative;
Help other districts across the country learn from Baltimore’s successes and challenges
and provide a blueprint to follow as they implement restorative practices in their own
unique contexts.