Peer Mediation
Grade level: 4-12
Promising
Approaches
Extracurricular
activities
Overview
Special Features
Civic Learning Goals
Evaluation Studies
Required Resources
Available Resources
Professional Development Opportunities
Snapshots of Practice in Action
Contact Information
Overview
Peer mediation is a method of conflict resolution
practiced in many schools inMaine.
Students are trained in specific techniques that allow them to assist their
peers in resolving disputes in a way that satisfies all parties involved.
Referrals come from the students themselves, teachers, and administrators. The
mediation may be mandated in some schools, but participation in coming to a
resolution is always voluntary. Peer
mediation trains students in peaceful conflict resolution, reduces the
disciplinary burden on administrators and provides a means for student to
become involved in service to the school.
The mediation process generally has four stages. In Stage One, the mediators open the session
with introductions and an explanation of the process and the role of the
mediator. In Stage Two, the mediators
gather information from the disputants, identifying the core issues using
active listening skills and employing strategies for diffusing tension. Stage Three
involves helping the parties see the other’s point of view so that they can
come to a mutual understanding. In Stage Four, the mediators encourage the
disputants to brainstorm possible solutions without giving them advice, so that
the parties take responsibility for the resolution of the conflict. Mediations often
conclude with a written agreement.
The Peer Mediation Association of Maine (PM/AM) was formed in 1995 at a conference of
youth mediators to improve and advance peer mediation inMaine schools. PM/AM is divided into two
chapters. The Southern PM/AM Chapter is staffed by Maine Law & Civics
Education, a program of the University of Maine School of Law. The chapter’s programs, held at theUniversity ofSouthern Maine campus inPortland, are open to middle school and high school teams. The Central-Northern Chapter
is coordinated by the Peace Studies Program at theUniversity ofMaine.
The chapter’s programs, held at theUniversity
ofMaine campus in Orono, include elementary, middle and high school teams. A biennial statewide
conference of youth mediators is held inAugusta,
planned and coordinated by MLCE and Peace Studies.
Youth Mediators, with the support of their school coordinators and University staff,
promote awareness of the benefits of peer mediation, engage in training
sessions, and generate support for school based mediation programs. A mission
statement was written and adopted by the students in 1997:
We are the members of the Peer Mediation Association ofMaine
who seek support and involvement from the community for mediation as an option
for resolving conflicts. With this support we hope to provide opportunities for
education and awareness about conflict resolution. We hope to extend the use of
mediation throughoutMaine
as an alternative to harassment and violence. Working together as mediators, we
hope to empower individuals and foster a safer and healthier place to
live.
Special Features
Peer mediation puts the students themselves in
charge of resolving interpersonal conflicts at school. Students are trained and
supported by adults, but conduct mediations on their own in teams of two peer
mediators with two disputants. The
mediators model conflict resolution techniques, such as active listening, and
the disputants learn to talk out a conflict rather than letting it escalate. A
strong peer mediation program can improve school climate, with students leading
the way.
Civic Learning Goals
Civic Skills
Critical thinking, active listening, analyzing public policies, problems and assets, and
understanding multiple perspectives
Civic Dispositions
Developing tolerance, respect, and appreciation of difference
Developing concern with the rights and welfare of others
Developing a belief in one’s ability to make a difference
Developing attentiveness to civic matters and a desire to become involved in the civic life of the community
Evaluation Studies
Conflict resolution education and peer mediation help create a constructive and safe learning environment. Jones, T. S., & Kmitta,. D. Eds. Does It Work: The Case for Conflict Resolution Education in our Nation’s Schools, (2000) from the Association for Conflict Resolution (web site www.acrnet.org)
Required Resources
Peer mediation requires the support of the
administration. An awareness training for all staff is
recommended. Successful programs often have a staff coordinating committee to oversee
the initiative, link the program to discipline policy, coordinate and publicize
the mediation program, maintain records, and evaluate the program The coordinating committee selects the
mediators and trains them, or contracts with outside trainers. Once the program
is underway, the coordinating committee may want to integrate conflict
management education into academic subjects. One or two adult coordinators are
required to act as case managers for the peer mediation program, talking with
disputants, scheduling mediations, and meeting regularly with the team for
continued skill development and problem-solving. Some schools provide a small
stipend or release time to the peer mediation coordinator(s).
Available Resources
Maine Law & Civics Education (MLCE) conducts on-site training for staff and students
in conflict management and peer mediation. The program is statewide for K-12
schools. MLCE advises school administrators on developing an effective peer
mediation program, trains the school’s coordinating committee, conducts staff
workshops and trains student mediators. Training is provided on a fee for
service basis, partially supported by a grant from the Maine Department of
Health and Human Services, Maine Injury Prevention Program.
The Peace Studies program atUniversity ofMaine offers credit
courses in mediation, as well as summer institutes for educators in conflict
resolution and school mediation.
Peace Studies or MLCE has available evaluation packets, with cost sheets for pre-printed scan
forms, tabulation services and school reports from the Center for Research and
Evaluation atUniversity of Maine, to assist in evaluating the peer mediation program.
Peace Studies has a Coordinator Manual for Middle School Peer Mediation programs
available at a small cost for schools wanting to start and/or maintain a peer
mediation program.
Advocates for Children inLewiston,Maine provides training and support for peer mediation programs in their service area. Their website is http://www.advocatesforchildren.net/EducationPrograms.htm.
Professional Development Opportunities
Maine Law & Civics Education and Peace Studies run several workshops or conferences each year with training
for both peer mediators and coordinators. Both programs also offer conflict
resolution in-service workshops for school staff.
Snapshot of the Practice in Action
Phil Studwell,LymanMooreMiddle School: Early on in the year fourteen to
sixteen seventh and eighth grade students who are thought by their peers and
teachers to listen well, be confidential, and have the ability to remain
neutral are nominated to be Peer Mediators. The elected Peer Mediators are then
trained for their positions in a two-day training session. Students are
referred to the Peer Mediation staff by a teacher or guidance counselor and a mediation is arranged. Two Peer Mediators (usually one boy
and on girl) are asked to mediate in each dispute. Thirty to forty mediations
are done each year and have received a lot of positive feedback from teachers.
The mediators feel that they are effective about half of the time, and only
about ten percent would say they aren't effective. If the Mediators are not
happy with their mediation, they refer the case to an adult. The disputants
feel that fifty percent of the time it does some good and twenty percent of the
time it does a lot of good. In general, the school reports a greatly improved
school climate since the advent of Peer Mediation about five years ago.
Contact Information
Pamela B. Anderson, Director
Maine Law & Civics Education
University of MaineSchool of Law
246 Deering Ave.
Portland,ME 04102
207-780-4991
pamelaa@usm.maine.edu
Barbara Blazej
Peace StudiesProgram
University ofMaine
5725 East Annex, Rm. 211
Orono,ME 04469-5725
207-581-2625
Barbara.blazej@umit.maine.edu
