National: Models for Restitution Schools
Across Canada and the United States, ‘restitution schools’ are based in a philosophy that restitution is for: creating the conditions for people to fix their mistakes and return to the group strengthened. The philosophy behind the way these schools operate comes from a woman named Diane Gossen, who wrote Restitution: Restructuring School Discipline. Below is a list that helps better define the concept:
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A philosophy based on respect and a common belief that builds community, empowers individuals, and resolves conflict.
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Restitution is not about payback or saying, “I’m sorry” but about healing.
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Restitution is an invitation rather than a requirement to fix our mistakes.
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Restitution is about looking at the need behind the problem. “What’s it getting you?” (Belonging, Power, Freedom, Fun)
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Restitution teaches people to look inside rather than outside for answers.
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Restitution is about self-restitution—being the person you want to be.
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The goal of restitution is self-evaluation and learning a better way.
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Restitution is more about “being” than about “doing”.
