Extent to Which Restorative Approaches are Used Across All LEAs

To obtain data on the use of restorative practices/approaches in Maryland public schools, MSDE staff developed an online survey, completed by the Directors of Student Services in each LEA, as part of the data collection for the Alternative School Discipline Practices: Data Collection, Findings, and Considerations Report. All 24 LEAs in Maryland completed the survey for the 2022-2023 school year.

For the use of restorative approaches, the most frequently used restorative approach is informal circle conversation with student and victim, with eight out of 24 LEAs indicating high frequency usage (see Table). Seven out of the 24 LEAs also reported using other forms of mediation and restorative conferences (the act of repairing the harm done) at a high frequency. Restitution was the least used restorative approach, with 21 LEAs indicating its use at a low frequency. Low frequency use was also indicated by a majority of LEAs for peer mediation, formal restorative circles with school-based stakeholders and a written agreement, and formal restorative circles with parents, school-based stakeholders, community member(s) and a written agreement. One LEA noted that it will be implementing restorative approaches system-wide for the 2023-2024 school year.

​Frequency of Practice	​Never	​Less than half of the time	​About half of the time	​More than half of the time	​Always
​Informal circle conversation with student and victim	​0% (0)	37.50% (9)	29.17% (7)	20.83% (5)	12.50% (3)
​Peer mediation	​20.83% (5)	58.33% (14)	0% (0)	16.67% (4)	4.17% (1)
​Other forms of mediation	​4.17% (1)	54.17% (13)	12.50% (3)	20.83% (5)	8.33% (2)
​Restorative conferences (the act of repairing the harm done)	​4.17% (1)	41.67% (10)	25.00% (6)	25.00% (6)	4.17% (1)
​Formal restorative circle with school-based stakeholders and a written agreement	​4.17% (1)	75.00% (18)	16.67% (4)	0% (0)	4.17% (1)
​Formal restorative circle with parents, school-based stakeholders, community member(s), and a written agreement	​12.50% (3)	66.67% (16)	16.67% (4)	0% (0)	4.17% (1)
​Restitution	​8.33% (2)	79.17% (19)	12.50% (3)	0% (0)	0% (0)