ACR 275: Restorative Practices in School Awareness Month.

This measure would designate the month of September 2018 as Restorative Practices in School Awareness Month in California.

WHEREAS, Pupils, staff, administrators, parents, and guardians have a right to a safe, collaborative, healthy, and healing school environment; and

WHEREAS, Schools should strive to be sanctuaries for pupils, staff, parents, and guardians within our communities; and

WHEREAS, Pupils, staff, parents, and guardians have a right to resolve conflict and harm through restorative practices and restorative justice over traditional punitive disciplinary measures; and

WHEREAS, Prioritizing restorative practices and restorative justice over traditional methods affords all pupils with the best possible opportunity to succeed both academically and socially; and

WHEREAS, Training and development are essential for effective restorative practices implementation, and pupils, staff, and administrators have the right to comprehensive training and development in restorative practices and restorative justice; and

WHEREAS, Restorative practices and restorative justice can only thrive if administrators and educators are given the time, tools, and staff to execute a developed program; and

WHEREAS, Pupils, parents, guardians, and educators have the right to give their opinions and have their voices heard and reflected in the decisions and recommendations of a school regarding its disciplinary measures; and

WHEREAS, Pupils, parents, guardians, and educators have the right to efficient and transparent implementation of restorative practices and restorative justice programs, including uniform data keeping and evaluation of those programs, because transparency is essential to a successful program; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the month of September 2018 as Restorative Practices in School Awareness Month in California, and supports the rights of pupils, staff, administrators, parents, and guardians to utilize restorative practices and restorative justice methods in addressing harms over traditional punitive disciplinary measures; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.