Restorative Practices in Texas

Dr. Marilyn Armour defines Restorative Practices as “A relational approach to building school climate and addressing student behavior that fosters belonging over exclusion, social engagement over control and meaningful accountability over punishment.”

Restorative Practices (RP) in Texas began in the Fall of 2015. The Texas Education Agency partnered with The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work to participate in a statewide roll out.

A grant provided training to ten of the twenty education service centers and school districts in Texas. The first ten service centers were selected based on the number of African American males that were suspended from the school districts in their regions. The training occurred in two parts. The first part included a two-day administrator readiness training, the second part a five-day coordinator training. Then the remaining ten regional service centers received the same training.

The goal is to plant the restorative practices seeds across Texas.

Restorative Practices Training

EXCITING NEWS 

Restorative Practices trainings have resumed with our ESC Partners! The training sessions will be hosted online by ESC authorized providers and will be available to all educators across Texas.

May Virtual Training Opportunities

ESC PartnerDate and TimeTraining

Region 5

May 4, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Administrator Tier 1

Region 2

May 5, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Administrator Tier 1

Region 12

May 5, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Administrator Tier 1

Region 13

May 5, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Administrator Tier 1

Region 12

May 6, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Campus Coordinator Tier 3

Region 2

May 7, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Campus Coordinator Tier 2

Region 13

May 7, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Fidelity Continuum Scale

Region 13

May 11, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Families as Partners at Home

Region 13

May 12, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Campus Coordinator Tier 2

Region 2

May 13, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Administrator Tier 1

Region 12

May 13, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Campus Coordinator Tier 2

Region 10

May 14, 2026, from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Campus Coordinator Tier 3

Region 12

May 14, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Campus Coordinator Tier 3

Region 2

May 19, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Campus Coordinator Tier 3

Region 5

May 21, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Early Childhood

Region 13

May 21, 2026, from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Families as Partners at Home

Region 13

May 26, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Campus Coordinator Tier 3

Region 5

May 27, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Campus Coordinator Tier 3

Region 13

May 27, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Fidelity Continuum Scale

In-Person Training Opportunities

Additionally, select providers also offer in-person training opportunities available to all Texas educators:

ESC PartnerDate and TimeTraining

Region 19

May 4, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Administrator Tier 1

Region 19

May 5, 2026, from 8:30 AM (ET) - 3:30 PM (MST)

Campus Coordinator Tier 2

Region 10

May 6, 2026, from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Families as Partners at Home

Region 19

May 6, 2026, from 8:30 AM (ET) - 3:30 PM (MST)

Campus Coordinator Tier 3

Region 12

May 28, 2026, from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Administrator Tier 1

Region 12

June 11, 2026, from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Administrator Tier 1

Region 19

June 11, 2026, from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (MST)

Administrator Tier 1

 

Video Resources

Restorative Practices Made Simple

In "Restorative Practices Made Simple", Dr. Gaye Lang and her invited panel discuss real-world examples of how Restorative Practices has positively impacted students across the state.

Watch Video Series


Restorative Practices Made Simple: Families as Partners

Dr. Gaye Lang's new video series "Restorative Practices Made Simple: Families as Partners" empowers parents with tools for effective communication and aligns home and school environments for children's benefit.

Watch Video Series


Seeing Circles

The Seeing Circles video series shows an example of a Community-Building Circle.

Watch Video Series


Restorative Practices Lesson Plans

Sample Lesson Plan

After you have attended training for Restorative Practices and have an understanding of the circle process and how to facilitate circles, this sample lesson plan will assist you as begin to experience circles in your classroom with your students.

Additional Resources

TitleDescription
RP BadgesRP Fidelity Continuum Scale (FCS) & Data Collection Sheet, Campuses Earning the RP Badge of Distinction
Level 2 State TrainersNEW! Vetted List of Level 2 State Trainers