Check out this piece from Thomas Courtney, a 6th Grade teacher from San Diego.
As he notes, the state of California continues to try to reduce our suspension rate by promoting alternatives to suspension, including Restorative Justice. The latest attempt is through Senate Bill 274, which was passed in March, 2025. The BIll's text is here.
The Bill takes on the problem of suspensions for "disruptive behavior" and for being "willfully defiant behavior" which as many have noted, is largely in the eye of the beholder. Also, children who are in Special Ed. and boys of color are much more likely to be suspended under this vague category.
As this Bill notes:
Existing law prohibits the suspension of a pupil enrolled in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 5, inclusive, and recommending the expulsion of a pupil enrolled in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, for disrupting school activities or otherwise willfully defying the valid authority of those school personnel engaged in the performance of their duties.
Makes sense! Let's not suspend or expel a 5-year old child or even a 10-year old child who might be having a meltdown. We've all been there! Why not remove the child from the situation, let them calm down, and then find out what's happening for that little person, and what they need. Give them a chance to repair any harm they caused.
Bill 274 extends existing policies until 2029. Also, it reminds everyone:
Existing law authorizes suspension to be imposed only when other means of correction, including, among other things, a conference between school personnel, the pupil’s parent or guardian, and the pupil, or participation in a restorative justice program, fail to bring about proper conduct, except as provided.
The Bill also prohibits children from being suspended or expelled for being truant or otherwise missing school.
As Thomas Courtney points out in his article, schools need more funding for RJ across the board. More funding would allow school to engage in Restorative Practices which are proactive and can prevent situations from escalating to the point where a child might engage in "disruptive" or "willfully defiant" behavior, and help teachers and fellow students learn the arts of de-escalation:
Essentially, restorative justice practices are relationship-building. They fundamentally weave in and under everything about a school built on respect and collaboration. These practices include, but are not limited to, affirmations, restorative circles, student check-ins, community circles, social contracts, and activities that enhance relationships.
We know that when a school puts restorative justice in place with fidelity, suspension rates decrease and student learning outcomes improve. Students themselves report a preference when restorative measures are taken over traditional ones. Importantly, this means that defiance issues are far less common or reported in schools effectively implementing restorative justice.