Amir Alavi with Katy Wood discussed restorative practices for shifting SARB from punitive to restorative, using empathy and tailored support. Katy introduced a restorative SART contract that focuses on empathy, understanding family barriers, and providing tailored support. The district expanded attendance teams and uses restorative language. RaaWee truancy prevention software streamlines this process by auto-filling contract data, saving staff time.
Amir Alavi and Katy Wood advocate for reframing the Student Attendance Review Board (SARB) process through a restorative lens, shifting from punitive enforcement to empathetic engagement. Their approach, discussed by Amir Alavi, Director of Chronic Absenteeism Reduction at the Riverside County Office of Education, and Katy Wood, Coordinator – Student Support, Attendance & Sect, utilizes a restorative SART contract to foster trust and uncover family challenges. This contract guides attendance teams toward individualized, supportive interventions, with RaaWee’s truancy prevention platform streamlining the process by auto-filling contract data and enabling staff to focus on relationship building.
Reframing the SARB Process Through a Restorative Lens
Katy and Amir introduced a restorative lens to the traditional SARB process, advocating for a shift from punitive enforcement to empathetic engagement. Using the case of “John Doe,” a hypothetical seventh-grade student navigating ADD, family instability, and trauma, they illustrated how court threats and truancy warnings often compound disengagement rather than solve it.
Building Trust Through Restorative SART Contracts
To foster trust and build bridges, Katy shared a restorative SART contract that helps uncover family challenges through thoughtful dialogue. It includes structured prompts for background context, discussion, and barrier identification; guiding teams toward individualized, supportive interventions. Restorative language and parental partnership were highlighted as essential in creating a safe space for families.
Strengthening Support with Attendance Teams and Technology
The district has bolstered its support infrastructure by deploying attendance teams across school sites, ensuring deeper connection and continuity. RaaWee’s truancy prevention platform complements these restorative efforts by integrating tools like the SART contract into its system. Beyond automation, it enables staff to spend less time on paperwork and more time building the relationships that drive long-term student engagement.
