Improving Education Today: The Deep Dive

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.