Reducing Aggression in a High School Setting through a Conflict Resolution and Peer Mediation Program.

N

92

Adolescents; Aggression; Conflict Resolution; Educational Environment; High School Students; High Schools; Interpersonal Communication; Intervention; Peace; Peer Influence; Peer Mediation; Prevention; Prosocial Behavior; Violence

Incidences of aggressive and violent actions in schools have been increasing. The goals of this practicum were to reduce aggressive and violent behavior in a large, comprehensive, public high school and to make students and staff aware of peaceful alternatives to conflicts. Solution strategies included teaching conflict resolution skills in the classroom and forming a peer mediation program, both of which emphasized students working with other students. A group of 36 high school seniors, who comprised the peer leadership program and who reflected the ethnic diversity of the school, were trained in conflict resolution techniques. These seniors then taught these skills to classes of freshmen that they met with on a weekly basis. Results indicate that students became increasingly aware of peaceful alternatives when faced with a conflict and that there were resources they could turn to in the high school. Feedback from the presentation of the conflict resolution techniques was positive. Peer mediation was successful in 21 out of 24 sessions with 66 students taking part. Overall, disciplinary referrals for aggressive and violent behavior were reduced, but other factors, such as tightened security and stricter adherence to discipline, also contributed to this decline. Appended are numerous surveys, a mediation session record form, and a discipline referral report. Contains 44 references. (RJM)

1997

ED400495