Peer Mediation
School-based peer mediation is one of the most popular and effective approaches to integrating the practice of conflict resolution into schools. From the start of the modern “conflict resolution in education” (CRE) movement in the early 1980’s, peer mediation has been one of its centerpieces. Many thousands of schools in the US and in dozens of other countries have implemented peer mediation programs, and these efforts serve almost every conceivable student population.
Peer mediation teaches mediation skills to students so they can help mediate disputes that other students are having—hence the label, “peer mediation.”
The convergence of a number of factors help to explain peer mediation’s status:
* Increasingly, educators—in rural and suburban as well as in city schools—were troubled by an increase in the amount and the tenor of student conflict. There consequently was a burgeoning interest among educators to explore this issue.
* The mission of most schools includes helping young people develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will enable them to succeed as adults. One of the most essential sets of skills is the ability to resolve conflicts effectively.
* Peer mediation encourages students to apply conflict resolution skills when it matters most—when they are in dispute. This sets it apart from other conflict resolution models that lack a formal effort to encourage students to use their skills when they are actually involved in a conflict.
For more information on developing Peer Mediation as a model in your school, please visit Day 2 of our curriculum on Managing and Resolving Conflicts Effectively in Schools and Classrooms. To hear an interview with a middle school peer mediation coordinator and a student mediator, check out this episode of Peace Talks Radio.
Related Videos of Possible Interest
- Classroom Closeup NJ - Peacemakers
- Don’t Give In to the Drama - Peer Mediation Training Video from Hawaii
- Elementary Students Using Their Playground Peace Bridge
- In the Mix: Peer Mediation—A Process of Respect
- LA Peer Mediation Program Video
- Models of Peer Mediation Reviewed
- On-the-Spot Mediation: how to use your skills in everyday life
- Peer Mediation Video from Dibble Middle School
- Professor Shuldman on Mediation in the Classroom
- Recess Redone - The Power of Play
Related Catalog Resources
Below you'll find a randomized listing of up to 20 related items (we may have more...) drawn from our Resource Catalog.
| Resource Title | Description | Links |
|---|---|---|
| Building for the future: Connecting up with high school mediation program alumni | Pdf article from Conflict Management in Higher Education Report, (Volume 1, Number 1, Jan/Feb 2000), which puts a call out to people and organizations interested in helping to build a national networking system for high school mediation program alumni as they continue their eduacation often at colleges and universities with no mediation programs. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| SCORE coordinator's manual, 2007-2008: Student conflict resolution experts | 183-page pdf manual which "provides an overview of the program, and instructs coordinators on the steps to setting up the program from start to finish, and the methods and expectations for training their mediators. The manual also provides an extensive lesson plan for training, as well as sample exercises and role-play scenarios." | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| SCORE peer mediation guide for students: Student conflict resolution experts | 34-page pdf manual which "guides students through the principles and techniques for successful mediation. The content of the student manual reflects that of the coordinators’ manual." With lessons in introduction to mediation, building trust, listening and troubleshooting. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Kids Working It Out Resource Appendix | A listing of books, publications and websites provided in the appendix to Tricia S. Jones and Randy O. Compton (Eds.) 2003 book Kids Working It Out: Stories and Strategies for Making Peace in Our Schools. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| How to Have a Conference - Coloring Book | An 8-page pdf coloring book written and illustrated by Friends School of Minnesota 5th grader Patrick Raines. It is designed to introduce students to the conference meeting (conflict resolution meeting) used by the school to resolve student disputes. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Mastering Mediation: Higher Education Mediation Training Slides | The slides used in a basic mediation training program tailored to higher education contexts. It follows the framework provided in Mastering Mediation: A Guide for Training Mediators in a College and University Setting available via LRP publications. This workshop is typically offered over a long weekend. It includes lecture points, small group...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Peer mediator training: Student workbook | 27-page pdf student workbook for peer mediation training. This is the high-quality version designed for printing. Discusses topics such as communication skills, conflict resolution and mediation procedures (with role play exercises), and agreement writing. Intended for use as part of a 1-day peer mediation training. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| My Peer Mediators Handbook | A 15-page booklet designed to support trained peer mediators as they carry out their work. Topics include referrals, the mediation process, suggestions for a mediation service, some guidelines for good practice, what ifs, and help and support. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Curriculum in mediation, A: Lesson plans gateway | 5-page pdf document which presents a teacher's guide for training peer mediators, provides links to workbook lesson plans for conflict management, communication skills, role playing exercises and agreement writing. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Peer Mediation Session for Stan and Susan | This 7-page scripted role-play illustrates the peer mediation process. It is designed to be used in the classroom with middle school age youth. It is based on scenario wherein Stan tripped, saw Susan laughing with her friend Misty, and immediately jumped to the conclusion that Susan was making fun of him. He called her a bad name in revenge. In...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Mediating a Better Solution | A 5-page article on peer mediation written for principals. It appeared in the magazine Principal Leadership as part of a monthly column entitled "Counseling 101" that is written by members of the National Association of School Psychologists. Includes a case study exploring the need for improved referral system for a peer mediation program. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| A Peer Mediation Needs Analysis For Schools | A three-page worksheet providing a series of questions for schools to consider prior to implementing a peer mediation program. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Quick Guide to Implementing a Peer Mediation Program | A 7-page pdf providing a series of annotated questions designed to help a school plan for the implementation of a peer mediation program. Draws on the many years of experience gained at School Mediation Associates, a long-standing peer mediation advocacy and training organization. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| PROS: Peaceful resolutions for Oklahoma [high school] students: Student edition | 46-page PDF high school student manual designed to teach peer-mediation techniques as well as communication skills, leadership and problem solving. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| School conflict management resource guide for grades K-8, 3rd ed., Fall 2002 | Pdf document of 1107 pages exploring school conflict management resources for K-8 graders, with introduction, table of contents, a for teachers section, eight academic subject sections containing hundreds of age-appropriate lessons, a section-specific table of contents within each academic subject section and a references section. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Good Practice Guidelines for Peer Mediation Initiatives | A one-page summary of guidelines for best practice for peer mediation program initiatives. Based on a larger evaluation of Peer Mediation Programs in New South Wales Government Schools published in 2003 | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Ten Lessons for Teaching Conflict Resolution Skills | A teaching packet provided by the Fairfax County Public Schools and the Student Safety and Wellness Office consisting of 10 lessons designed to help students learn conflict resolution skills. Each activity takes about an hour to complete and is designed to be interactive. As the authors note: "These skills are important for many reasons. Not only...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Peer mediator training: Student workbook (web version) | 27-page pdf web version of student workbook for peer mediation training. Discusses topics such as communication skills, conflict resolution and mediation procedures (with role play exercises), and agreement writing. Designed as part of a 1-day peer mediation training. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Schools conflict resolution and mediation competition: Manual | 27-page pdf manual for SCRAM a, "Year 9 & 10 interactive role play program which encourages the development of mediation skills in secondary school students. The mediation is based on fictitious community based scenario. A team of 6-8 students is given background information on an issue which is causing conflict among 4 participants. The team uses...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| PROS: Peaceful resolutions for Oklahoma [elementary] students: Student edition | 46-page PDF (student edition) manual which introduces elementary school students to peer mediation and conflict and teaches communication and problem solving skills. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
Teacher's Menu
Site News & Events
New in the Catalog
CRE Allies Links
Here's a random selection of links to projects doing important work.
United Nations Cyberschoolbus Peace Education Resources
Translate
Use FreeTranslation.com to translate this page into:
