A peer mediation program piloted in the fourth grade at Black Earth Elementary School

Abstract

Despite concerns about increasing violence by educational officials, parents, and community members, most school programs do not provide students specific educational experiences that facilitate adequate personal and social development. Some schools, nationally, have addressed this need by offering educational programs teaching conflict resolution skills through peer mediation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a peer mediation program piloted in a fourth grade population would encourage students to use conflict resolution skills to resolve disputes peacefully. The model used is called the Peers in Education Addressing Conflict Effectively (PEACE) Program, whose goal is to teach appropriate conflict resolution skills, and decrease hostility in the school environment. Fifteen mediators, selected by their peers, were taught the PEACE program skills of conflict resolution. These skills include communication, reflective listening, identifying feelings and problem solving. The mediators were trained by the author and another staff member who had been trained in the PEACE Program. The time frame of the study was from January 1999 to January 2000. Information was gathered through questionnaires given to peer mediators, a questionnaire answered by the fourth grade population and fourth grade teachers, anecdotal records and observations from participating teachers and the school principal. Results of the study did not show a reduction in antisocial behavior or reduced violence in the school. The findings did suggest that the mediators learned the conflict resolution skills, but because of the time schedule, opportunities to practice and use them were limited. Students and teachers did demonstrate positive interest in the program; students wanted to become trained mediators and teachers and administrators supported the concept of peaceful problem-solving. Data collected from the study will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the program, identifying strengths and weaknesses for future program implementations.