Restorative Justice Circles in Community College

ClassroomsPreliminary Results from the First Two Semesters

Ashley Andrews, John Bragelman, Theresa Carlton, Maria Ortiz

Comparison Between Pedagogies

Chart 1. Dev Ed Course Comparison - Traditional vs. Circles - Fall 2014

  Traditional With CirclesCourse Success Rate Retention Rate Success Rate Retention Rate

Math 99 53.67% 86.06% 68.57% 91.43%English 100 59.77% 89.29% 71.70% 94.34%

ESLINT 99 43.48% 91.30% 68.42% 100.00%INTDSP 101 65.29% 90.11% 80.00% 96.00%

Comparison by Instructor After Implementation

Chart 2. Circle effects - Success Rates, Fall '11 through Fall '14

Course Instructor Intervention Total Served# Successes Success Rate

Math 99 TC Circles 70 44 62.86%    w/o Circles 215 130 60.47%English 100 MO Circles 53 38 71.70%    w/o Circles 379 232 61.21%ESLINT 99 AA Circles 19 13 68.42%    w/o Circles 76 54 71.05%ESLINT 100 AA Circles 24 19 79.17%    w/o Circles 25 19 76.00%

Comparison by Instructor After Implementation

Chart 3. Circle effects - Retention Rates, Fall '11 through Fall '14

Course Instructor Intervention Total Served# Successes Success Rate

Math 99 TC Circles 70 62 88.57%    No Circles 215 196 91.16%English 100 MO Circles 53 50 94.34%    No Circles 379 346 91.29%ESLINT 99 AA Circles 19 19 100.00%    No Circles 76 73 96.05%ESLINT 100 AA Circles 24 24 100.00%    No Circles 25 24 96.00%

Students’ Thoughts on Circles

• What was your favorite thing about them [Circles]?– “I feel they helped us to learn more about one another. When used

with other classmates they helped build relationships.” (Community)

– “They circle activities helped relax and open up in the beginning. It helped to not be so stressed/shy about the first class.” (Comfort)

– “It allowed to break down some barriers, if any of us felt nervous.” (Community / Comfort)

– “Coming together as a group and forming goals” (Goal Setting)

Students’ Thoughts on Circles

• What did Circles bring to the class?– “It made everyone warm up and feel comfortable. I also think it

made people looking forward to the class” (Comfort / Eagerness to Learn)

– “unity, comfort, friendship, hope, and relaxation” (Community / Comfort)

– “brought our own take on the class. Got to decide what our semester will be like” (Equity)

– “I feel that the circle made us open up so that we can all feel comfortable. We call confessed how great/terrible we were at math so now we could improve together.” (Comfort / Community)

HWC Circle PD Packet