Restorative practices are an effective alternative to exclusionary and punitive discipline. In this approach, students confront their unacceptable behavior and assume responsibility for it in processes that are supportive rather than demeaning. Restorative processes range from formal practices, which require training, preparation and time, to informal ones, which are simple and practical enough to become second nature. Three practices that can have a positive and dramatic effect in schools are restorative conferences, which are typically used for more serious issues; affective statements, which humanize the teacher and let the student know how his or her behavior has affected that teacher; and circles, which educators can use to build community, respond to conflict, or even teach content. According to the International Institute for Restorative Practices, schools implementing restorative practices are seeing dramatic reductions in misbehavior, violence, suspensions, and expulsions as well as improvements in student learning. (Contains 2 endnotes.)