NCJ Number
163288
Journal
School Safety Dated: (Winter 1996) Pages: 8-10
Date Published
1996
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Student mediation programs can help students learn and teach the valuable conflict-resolution skills that are necessary for reaching mutually agreeable solutions to disputes and for creating lifelong benefits.
Abstract
Teaching youth in school to use conflict-resolution skills is producing significant results in reducing school confrontations and violence. Mediation training conveys the concept that each person is responsible for resolving disputes in a rational, peaceful manner. One of the most exciting additions to school mediation programs is parent education classes. Here, both parents and their children are taught basic mediation skills. A successful student mediation program is multi-phased. The first phase of Conflict Resolution Unlimited's program is to educate key school administrators about the type of time and energy commitments needed to ensure a positive outcome for the program and to obtain the administrators' support. In the second phase, school counselors and others who will be involved in the operation of the mediation program must also be informed and committed to making the program a success. The third phase focuses on presenting the program concepts and practices to the school faculty and securing their cooperation, followed by phase four, which involves establishing the mediation program. Selecting and training student mediators is the fifth phase, and faculty are instructed in the program in the sixth phase.