Restorative Justice in Oakland schools: Implementation and Impacts

"Oakland unified is no different than many urban districts struggling with the repercussions of zero-tolerance policies and related teacher and staff practices that for decades have failed our students of color. The complex web of policies, practices and systems that exist have a major influence on creating enduring racial disparities in school discipline rates period OUSD has long recognized that it needs to employ innovative evidence-based multi-23 level strategies(23) . OUSD has been instrumental in employing several cutting edge innovative strategies to collectively combat disciplinary referrals and related racial/ethnic disproportionality. These include: the African American Male Initiative (AAMI), District Response to Intervention (RTI), Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support (PBIS), Social Emotional Learning (CASEL), Common definition of Defiance group, 24 and Restorative Justice (RJ)among others (24)."