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Restorative practices (RPs) are promising nonpunitive approaches to discipline in schools, yet researchers often overlook students’ perspectives. The current study used a mixed-methods approach to explore RP Circle experiences of urban, low-income, and predominantly Black middle school students with attention to the diversity of their experiences by grade level, race, and gender. Quantitative results indicated that younger students reported learning about their behavior by participating in RP Circles. In general, boys felt that Circles supported their nonviolent problem-solving skills more than girls did. Black girls were significantly less likely to endorse the effectiveness of RP Circles to help them solve problems without violence and help them learn about their behavior in comparison with girls of other racial or ethnic backgrounds. Qualitative findings highlighted the benefits of RP Circles in promoting communication, expressing thoughts and feelings, pers pective taking, and opportunity for learning. The study highlights the importance of approaching RP from an intersectional lens and integrating youths’ perspectives into programming.

Educational disparities and disproportionalities for oppressed children signal the need for an educational justice movement that focuses on macro-level changes within and outside of the educational system. School social workers are uniquely trained to engage in activities that promote educational justice, yet most school social workers focus on micro-level practice with individuals. Drawing on Teasley’s practice recommendations to improve educational outcomes for African American urban youths, this study examined the extent to which school social workers engage in macro-level practice strategies that promote educational justice. Cross-sectional survey data were collected from 112 school social workers. Results indicated that most participants reported little engagement in macro-level practice in support of educational justice, most notably in relation to leadership and public policy advocacy and school choice. Social workers reported the most engagement in areas associated with typical practice, such as family engagement and schoolwide needs assessment. Implications for school social work training, practice, and future research are discussed.

This pilot study explored a technology-based intervention aimed at increasing student and family engagement in school, using a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design. All fourth- and fifth-grade students participated in a classroom-based one-to-one program; some students also received take-home tablets and broadband access. Student surveys assessed behavioral, cognitive, and affective engagement and academic motivation. Parent surveys assessed perceptions of school support, empowerment in schools, and overall experiences in schools. Teachers participated in a focus group to share their impressions of the program. Results showed that affective engagement and academic motivation decreased for all students, with no differences between the intervention and comparison groups. Parents in the intervention group reported greater perceptions of school support but no significant differences or changes in empowerment or overall school experiences. Students, parents, and teachers all reported positive experiences with the program. Findings point to the ways varying contexts may influence engagement in school.