Student Services / Guidance
Peer Mediation
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Peer Mediation
is both a program and a process where students of the
same age-group facilitate dispute resolution between two people or small groups. This process
has proven effective in schools around the United States, changing the way students understand and
resolve conflict in their lives. Changes include improved self-esteem, listening and critical
thinking skills, and school climate for learning, as well as reduced disciplinary actions and less
fights. One goal of the program is that students will transfer these skills outside of the
classroom or school.
The process is voluntary for both sides; peer
mediators do not "make decisions" but rather work towards a win-win resolution for both sides in
order to avoid further trouble. PSST members incorporate conflict resolution into their
strategies and processes. Problems addressed by the peer mediation program include:
· Rumor and gossip;
· Minor assaults and
fighting;
· Relationship
difficulties/harassment;
· Cheating and stealing;
· Racial and cultural
confrontations ;
· Classroom or extracurricular
disputes,
More serious problems such as sexual abuse, assault,
suicide, drug use, weapon possession, and those that involve legal problems require professional
referral and are not appropriate for peer mediation.
The faculty coordinator, in addition to the role of
liaison between major groups, including the PSST members, students, faculty, and administrators,
also
· Oversees the selection, training,
motivation, debriefing of mediators;
· Serves as a trained mediator for
co-facilitation and program start-up;
· Establishes protocol for intake and
referrals;
· Selects and schedules
mediators;
·
Keeps records and reports regularly
to all stakeholders;
· Keeps current with literature and
research.
Student peer mediators (recommended by the PSST)
reflect our school's diversity including cultures, gender, behavior, academics, social, and
race. They are trained and monitored since they often lack maturity and experience, both in
conflict management and negotiation skills. Strategies include role-playing, problem-based
learning and active- learning.
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