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Dear Colleagues: We are the co-leaders of Community Prep High School, in New York City, which was the subject of a July 25, 2004 New York Times article, "Last Chance High," by Sara Rimer. At Community Prep, we work with some of New York's most challenging teenagers—teens returning from juvenile detention centers, teens with extensive records of truancy and disruptive behavior. The success we've had with our students was in large part made possible by the restorative practices training and consulting that we received from the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP). I cannot overstate the value of the approach to working with youth that we learned from their wonderful trainers and consultants. The year it opened, before we began our work with the IIRP, outrageous behavior and sporadic attendance were the norm at Community Prep. It did not feel like a safe place to be, much less a place for young people to turn their lives around. The school staff was overwhelmed; the school's founders knew the school needed a new approach in addition to new staff. We started working with the IIRP to develop our school culture and learn how to make sure our school held students accountable. Our work with the IIRP taught us the importance of balance: use high doses of structure and support simultaneously, balance reactive and proactive actions, and make sure that as you hold students accountable you reaffirm their value as human beings whose lives are worthwhile. Since we began using restorative practices at Community Prep, we have seen great improvement in our students and have begun to realize our dream of creating and sustaining a meaningful learning environment. Students who had exhibited difficult, negative behavior before the implementation of restorative practices have begun to thrive in an environment of firm limits combined with abundant support. Many who had previously showed little concern for school, the staff or their classmates became willing to support fellow students who were struggling, to confront each other's behavior, and to take responsibility for their education. Some of these students became leaders and mentors for newer students. Restorative practices helped Community Prep High School become a safe community, a place where students can make real, meaningful changes in their lives. |
