Restorative Practices in Texas

Dr. Marilyn Armour defines Restorative Practices as 鈥淎 relational approach to building school climate and addressing student behavior that fosters belonging over exclusion, social engagement over control and meaningful accountability over punishment.鈥

Restorative Practices (RP) in Texas began in the Fall of 2015. The 7m视频 partnered with the Institute for Restorative Justice and Restorative Dialogue at The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work to participate in a statewide roll out.

A grant provided training to ten of the twenty education service centers and school districts in Texas. The first ten service centers were selected based on the number of African American males that were suspended from the school districts in their regions. The training occurred in two parts. The first part included a two-day administrator readiness training, the second part a five-day coordinator training. The remaining ten regional service centers will receive the same training.

The goal is to plant the restorative practices seeds across Texas. 1,400 administrators and 400 coordinators obtained training as of the fall 2016.

Restorative Practices Training

EXCITING NEWS 

Restorative Practices trainings have resumed with our ESC Partners! The training sessions will be hosted online by ESC authorized providers and will be available to all educators across Texas.

April Virtual Training Opportunities

ESC PartnerDate and TimeTraining

Region 5

April 28, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Region 12

April 28, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Region 1

April 29, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Region 4

April 30, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Region 2

April 30, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Region 5

April 30, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Region 10

April 30, 2026, from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Region 1

April 30, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

May Virtual Training Opportunities

ESC PartnerDate and TimeTraining

Region 5

May 4, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Region 2

May 5, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Region 12

May 5, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Region 13

May 5, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Region 12

May 6, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Region 2

May 7, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Region 13

May 7, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Region 13

May 11, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Region 13

May 12, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Region 2

May 13, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Region 12

May 13, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Region 10

May 14, 2026, from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Region 12

May 14, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Region 2

May 19, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Region 5

May 21, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Region 13

May 21, 2026, from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Region 13

May 26, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Region 5

May 27, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Region 13

May 27, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

In-Person Training Opportunities

Additionally, select providers also offer in-person training opportunities available to all Texas educators:

ESC PartnerDate and TimeTraining

Region 10

April 28, 2026, from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Region 19

May 4, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Region 19

May 5, 2026, from 8:30 AM (ET) - 3:30 PM (ET)

Region 10

May 6, 2026, from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Region 19

May 6, 2026, from 8:30 AM (ET) - 3:30 PM (ET)

Region 12

May 28, 2026, from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

 

Video Resources

Restorative Practices Made Simple

Restorative Practices Made Simple (Thumbnail)

In "Restorative Practices Made Simple", Dr. Gaye Lang and her invited panel discuss real-world examples of how Restorative Practices has positively impacted students across the state.

Watch Video Series


Restorative Practices Made Simple: Families as Partners

Restorative Practices Made Simple: Families as Partners (Thumbnail)

Dr. Gaye Lang's new video series "Restorative Practices Made Simple: Families as Partners" empowers parents with tools for effective communication and aligns home and school environments for children's benefit.

Watch Video Series


Seeing Circles

Seeing Circles Video Series (Thumbnail)

The Seeing Circles video series shows an example of a Restorative Circle, a type of Restorative Practice.


Restorative Practices at Home

How you phrase redirection and correction is a vital aspect of correcting and changing behavior. This is the 3rd leg of the "3 legged stool" of restorative practices.

Restorative Practices Lesson Plans

Sample Lesson Plan

After you have attended training for Restorative Practices and have an understanding of the circle process and how to facilitate circles, this sample lesson plan will assist you as begin to experience circles in your classroom with your students.

Promoting Positive Restorative Relationships at Home

Here are some sample lessons for parents to use when implementing Restorative Practices at home and integrating them into home learning.

Additional Resources

TitleDescription
RP BadgesRP Fidelity Continuum Scale (FCS) & Data Collection Sheet, Campuses Earning the RP Badge of Distinction
Level 2 State TrainersNEW! Vetted List of Level 2 State Trainers
Final ReportFinal Report from 7m视频 and the University of Texas at Austin Institute for Restorative Justice and Restorative Dialogue Partnership Statewide Roll Out. The report represents the Restorative Practice trainings in the 20 ESCs.