Why Do We Break the Rules: Using Relationships and Restorative Practices to Influence Student Decisions

"Why Do We Break the Rules: Using Relationships and Restorative Practices to Influence Student Decisions"

with

Dr. Joseph Putrino, Jr.

Traditional school discipline practices often rely on exclusionary measures that disproportionately impact students of color, students with disabilities, and those facing adversity. This dynamic session will challenge attendees to rethink discipline not as a reactive punishment, but as an opportunity for restoration, reflection, and growth. Transforming discipline systems requires educators to explore how schools can shift from compliance-driven models to equitable, student-centered frameworks that emphasize accountability and connection. Attendees will engage in real case scenarios, data-informed analysis, and collaborative reflection to explore how bias, policy, and school culture influence disciplinary outcomes. Grounded in the belief that every student behavior is a form of communication, this session will equip school-based mental health professionals and administrators with practical strategies to create responsive, fair, and trauma-informed practices that align with developmental needs and equity goals. Together, we will reimagine a discipline system that promotes learning, safety, and belonging for all students.

Objectives:

1.  Identify how current discipline practices may contribute to inequities and lost instructional time.
2.  Analyze the impact of implicit bias, school policy, and trauma on student behavior and disciplinary  outcomes.
3.  Apply restorative, developmentally appropriate alternatives to traditional discipline that promote accountability, repair harm, and strengthen student support systems.

NASP Domain:

Domain 8-Equitable Practices for Diverse Student Populations