NCJ Number
160425
Date Published
1990
Length
57 pages
Annotation
The second phase of the mediation project established at Menlo-Atherton High School in California was evaluated with respect to its implementation, outcomes, and impacts between September 1989 and June 1990.
Abstract
Evaluation information came from observations of trainings and mediations; interviews with program staff, teachers, administrators, mediators, and disputants; questionnaires completed by staff and students; and records of mediation cases. Results revealed that 108 cases were referred to mediation between September 1989 and May 1990; 45 cases were actually heard. Forty-six percent of the referred cases involved students; 50 percent involved students and teachers or other staff members. The presenting issue concerned racial conflict in 25 percent of the cases and classroom difficulty in 58 percent of the cases. At least 1 disputant explicitly or indirectly declined to participate in 60 percent of the conflicts referred but not mediated. Eighty-four percent of the mediated cases and 28 percent of the non-mediated cases were either fully or partially resolved. Ninety-one percent of the mediators and 79 percent of the disputants rated the mediation program as effective or very effective. The student mediators included a diverse group of black, white, and Hispanic students. Findings indicated that the project is soundly managed, is producing substantial positive results, and is on its way to becoming a successful model for the resolution of complex conflicts among all parties among all parties in a public high school community. Nevertheless, several problem areas would benefit from further attention by the staff. Figures, tables, and appended interview with a teacher who did classroom-wide mediation