Peer Mediation

Shamara KinlawEducational Leadership 660September 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 12-15 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

Negotiateplan of action

Indentify key issues

Follow upoutcomes

collaboration

Teacheslife-skills

Less aggressive behavior

ability to resolve conflicts

Increased self-esteem

improves school climate

more time for learning

preventive

Benefits of Benefits of Peer MeditationPeer Meditation

What does peer meditation look like?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gQ0ZLdHlHM

ResourcesMeek, Michael. "The Peacekeepers." Teaching Tolerance 1 (Fall 1992): 46-52. EJ 458 627. 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, 1988. ED 358 535 Cremin, H. (2002) Pupils Resolving Disputes: successful peer mediation schemes share their secrets. Support for learning 17. (3) 138 - 143.

If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.

JFK