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)
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