Peer Mediation

Peer Mediation is a peace-making process used to help students who have problems or disagreements with someone else. The disputants work together with the help of a neutral third party, to resolve their differences peacefully. Peer mediation is a way of working things out by attacking the problem, not the person. Students who have conflicts are able to sit face to face and talk uninterruptedly with the help of a mediator. Issues that are mediated are gossiping, rumors and teasing, just to name a few. Mediation is not used for illegal acts, serious violations of the rules and policies of the school (fighting, destruction of property, stealing, abuse, drug sales or use, weapons, etc.).

The goal of peer mediation is to help the school become a more healthy, positive, and safe learning environment by empowering students to manage conflict, transform relationships and enhance school climate. Program objectives can include: reducing the rates of office referrals, suspensions, and expulsion; creating a stronger sense of community by bridging differences; and instilling valuable, lifelong skills that prepare students to become productive citizens.

Peer Mediation:

- Empowers students with the skills and strategies for dealing with conflict;
- Develops communication and decision-making tools that influence choices in the future and increase leadership potential;
- Helps students gain perspective and understanding of themselves, others and their issues;
- Improves school climate by building relationships;
- Reduces the alienation, disenfranchisement and powerlessness that many students feel;
- Builds a strong sense of cooperation within the school community in order to address disputes that interfere with learning.