Restorative justice dates back to the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi (@1700 B.C.) where it was believed that any crime harmed the whole community. In nursing, it refers to a healing process where the treatment is responsive to an identified need. In classrooms, restorative practices foster a positive school climate and culture empowering students as problem solvers and owners of learning. 

Assessment becomes restorative when it re-engages learners, restores confidence, and encourages progress. Restorative assessment shifts the focus from assessments that indicate deficiencies to ones that illuminate strengths. With appropriate routines, all types of learners, from the disengaged to divergent thinkers can make progress towards mastery. Restorative assessment includes these essential elements.

1. Reciprocal means that learning intentions are visible to both the student and the teacher. Expectations are clear and exemplars are available. Transparency, authenticity, accountability, and dialogue offer a safety net. When anyone stumbles, be it the teacher, student, or learning partners, interventions and resolutions are prompt and focused.
   
   
2. Responsive assessment relies on multiple types of evidence of student learning. It responds to strengths and challenges with just-right adjustments to practice, pacing, and depth. This formative approach, embedded throughout teaching and learning, incorporates feedback that is timely, specific, and actionable.
   
   
3. Inclusive considers the needs of all learners and supports students as goal-setters and planners. It is fair and unbiased. Relevant learning intentions and reasonable challenge is supported by transparency, flexibility and enriching guidance.
   
   
4. Respectful assessment starts and ends with the learner. It relies on multiple assessment methods throughout the taxonomies of learning, continually monitoring progress. From knowing to creating, students rely on their strengths and overcome setbacks through reflection and self-assessment.
   
   

Synthesizing what is proven about best practice in assessment will improve learning outcomes for all students. This doesn’t require an extreme makeover, rather it relies on purposeful practice, complementary pathways, and balanced approaches and that engage the whole community and gets everyone on the ramp to success. Read more at http://https://us.corwin.com/en-us/nam/restorative-assessment/book2...