Research indicates that school “meditation rooms” and “harm reduction circles” might not be effective in addressing juvenile delinquency. It’s a bit surprising, isn’t it?
According to a recent study from the Manhattan Institute, we have long understood Mayor de Blasio’s inclination toward “restorative justice” in the name of racial equity, but results have consistently been disappointing.
Restorative Justice aims to provide students with avenues to discuss conflicts rather than punish them through measures such as suspension. Yet, data reveals a significant rise in instances requiring more police involvement in schools. The NYPD’s school safety division saw cases soar from 1,200 in early 2016 to 4,120 by early 2025, even after spending $100 million on these practices.
Interestingly, while the reports show an increase in violent incidents, absentee rates climbed by 35%. Clearly, moving troubled students to a “meditation room” isn’t fixing the underlying issues.
The study highlights multiple cases where students face little to no consequences for severe or violent actions.
- For example, students at Origins High School were sent to a “meditation room” after making Nazi salutes and threats against Jewish teachers, but the harassment persisted.
- This spring, an 8-year-old at PS 8 on Staten Island stabbed a staff member with a pencil and threatened a classmate.
- Furthermore, the Court Innovation Center in Brooklyn found no meaningful advantages in schools that applied restorative practices compared to those that used traditional discipline.
The Ministry of Education claims there’s been a 48% drop in suspensions over the last decade, insisting that “more children are engaged in classes.” Yet, it’s worth noting that if your policy aims to suspend fewer kids, it’s somewhat obvious that suspensions would decrease.
Even the student prime minister, Melissa Aviles Ramos, acknowledges that the approach hasn’t been effective. “The work isn’t finished,” she stated on Wednesday, though she emphasized her commitment to New York City public schools.
This situation raises concerns. The study concludes that the negatives of restorative justice—like a lack of accountability and possibly increased chronic absenteeism—should prompt a reevaluation of this policy.
Mayor Eric Adams, given his background as a former police officer, should recognize that if children don’t face real consequences for their behavior, they’re likely to continue misbehaving.
On a more positive note, an executive order from Donald Trump in April 2025 will prevent race from being a factor in disciplinary decisions. However, until there’s a shift in New York City’s approach, confusion will persist, and learning outcomes will continue to suffer.
