Peer Mediation Shamara Kinlaw Educational Leadership 660 September 15, 2010

What is peer meditation? Peer mediation is a process in which students resolve disputes and conflict amongst their peers. Peer mediators assist their peers in solving conflicts or disputes in a non - aggressive matter. The goal is to constructively work out differences.

Why are schools using peer meditation? Problem… Almost 300,000 high school students are attacked physically each month and one in five students in grades 9 through 12 carries a weapon to school (Meek 1992, 48). Therefore…… Schools implemented a wide range of costly safety measures: metal detectors & full-time police officers. And…… various models of discipline are enforced, such as referrals, detention, suspension, and expulsion. But…. These method do not get to the root of the problem, so the problems and disputes become endless cycles.

Why are schools using peer meditation? So….. Peer Meditation is used in schools to teach the students the problem solving and conflict resolution skills they need for life to resolve difference in a productive, and non- violent way.

Effective peer meditation programs need… Planning  Which students will be eligible to be mediators?  How will they be chosen?  Where and when will mediation occur?  Will students mediate singly or in teams?  What types of conflicts can student mediators address? Training  hours On-going Monitoring  How often are mediators used?  Are the mediators effective in using the process and resolving disputes?  How do mediators and their peers view mediation?  Teachers, administrators, and other staff need to understand and support the goals and processes of peer mediation.

Peer Meditation Process Set ground rules Define the problem Negotiate plan of action Indentify key issues Follow up outcomes

collaboration Teaches life-skills Less aggressive behavior ability to resolve conflicts Increased self-esteem improves school climate more time for learning preventive Benefits of Peer Meditation

What does peer meditation look like?

Resources Meek, Michael. "The Peacekeepers." Teaching Tolerance 1 (Fall 1992): EJ Johnson, David W., Roger T. Johnson, and Bruce Dudley. "Effects of Peer Mediation Training on Elementary School Students." Mediation Quarterly 10 (Fall 1992): 89. Lam, Julie A. The Impact of Conflict Resolution Programs on Schools: A review and synthesis of evidence. Amherst, MA: National Association for Mediation in Education, ED Cremin, H. (2002) Pupils Resolving Disputes: successful peer mediation schemes share their secrets. Support for learning 17. (3) If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. JFK