Youth present alternatives to conflicts
6th August 2013 · 0 Comments
By Nayita Wilson
Contributing Writer
A local youth based organization is issuing an appeal to the community and decision makers to implement a “restorative justice” approach in all New Orleans public schools to address adverse behavior among students.
Kids Rethink New Orleans (Rethinkers) works with youth to identify and resolve targeted challenges throughout the academic year and during an annual summer camp. This year’s summer camp culminated with a youth led press conference on July 26 at Langston Hughes Academy. During the event, students called for a more community and communications based approach to conflict resolution based on models recommended by the Center for Restorative Approaches (CRA) at Neighborhood Housing Services of New Orleans.
They also expressed a goal of having restorative justice programs in all New Orleans schools within the next three years with financial assistance from Baptist Community Ministries.
According to CRA Director Tori Bechet, “Restorative justice helps children to learn socially responsible behavior and keeps them in school. For some people restorative approaches is partnering with schools to infuse restorative practices into the daily life of student and staff at our partner schools . . .”
With the CRA model, students with behavioral conflicts can be referred to a facilitated “community conference.” During the conference, the parties work to resolve the conflict and come to a mutual agreement. Once this happens, the need for disciplinary action subsides. Reduced school suspensions or expulsions are byproducts of this model, according to CRA.
Disciplinary action occurs when students fail to resolve the matter or come to an agreement.
In the classroom setting, restorative practices are learned through “circles,” which allow students and teachers to discuss behavioral concerns and engage in “community building” activities.
Within their recommendations to various stakeholders, the Rethinkers encourage teachers to “Listen to what kids have to say about their own problems and misbehavior and help them think of ways they can make things right,” among other things.
Rethinkers also provided recommendations for parents, elected and appointed officials, school leaders and administrators, students and community members.
Recommendations for parents include: displaying restorative practices at home, requesting circles in the community, participating in circles and receiving training and advocating on behalf of the model.
Tammy Collins is a mother of three children who attend Arthur Ashe Charter School. Her oldest daughter is in the 7th grade and got involved with Rethinkers as an extracurricular activity. Collins said the entire experience has helped her and her family to address issues around school lunch, disciplinary and other personal matters.
One of the most beneficial components of Rethinkers, according to Collins, has been the conferencing, which brings parents, students and school leaders to the table to resolve issues. She said, too often, schools address behavioral matters without informing parents or solving the problem. But she has witnessed, firsthand, how restorative practices and Rethinkers have caused her children’s voices to be heard in various situations and moved her to become more involved in their education.
“It would help tremendously if people started following this program at home,” she said. It teaches on a whole different level.”
This article originally published in the August 5, 2013 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
