Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Restorative Schools - Accreditation


I have been wondering if there are any systems /schemes that give formal accreditation to schools in relation to restorative practices?

Such an arrangment could be very useful in helping schools develop and sustain their restorative practices. 

I am confident that, properly managed, formal accreditation would...
  • give a clear and consistent developmental pathway for schools to become increasingly restorative
  • provide clear milestones that would enable schools to demonstrate progress (improvement and achievement)
  • articulate the links between restorative practices and the key purposes and functions of schools (teaching, learning, community building....)
  • provide an ongoing cycle for re-accreditation and further development of the school
  • enable ongoing self evaluation and reporting by the school
  • prompt the school to commit (and recommit) to the school-wide use of Restorative Practices
  • prompt the school to acquire and deploy resources ($, time, effort....) as required
  • add to the school's identity
    • locally in ways that add to the school's standing in the community
    • more widely as a member of a national/international network of schools and other organisations building community and serving those in need
  • support the school's sustained use and development of Restorative Practices in the face of competing demands and emerging "alternatives"
  • improve the success and well-being of all staff, students (and those who care for them)
  • improve the school's overall effectiveness in all aspects of its life and work
  • significantly build the restorative community locally, nationally and world-wide
  • ...

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