Peer Mediation

Southern Illinois University School of Law - ADR Clinic

Who we are: We are a law school that educates future lawyers. As a community service, our law students offer peer mediation training which grows out of their own training in mediation. As part of their course work, our law students offer mediation services to the courts, campus and community. They are trained in mediation skills and they hone those skills by teaching others. Because they are law students and not educators, there are some limits to what they can do. There are further limits due to their academic schedule and requirements.

What we can do:

1. Peer mediation training: Our law students can conduct peer mediation training for a group of students, grades 6-12, in area elementary and secondary schools. Such training consists of one all-day or two half-day trainings for no more than 30 students at a time. The school desiring such a program should be sure of board, administrative, parental, and faculty support before initiating a program and should be prepared to design the program. We recommend reading Peer Mediation Program Guide or Peaceful Schools Program Guide. We may be able to loan these books to you for two weeks. Also we urge your faculty to participate in a conflict resolution program before deciding to adopt a peer mediation program.
   
   
2. Address students about conflict resolution: Our law students can address a class or other small (20-30) group of students, grades 6-12, about conflicts and how to resolve them. We need to know your goals for the students so that we can be sure we can provide what you want.
   
   
3. Training a group of students in negotiation skills: Our law students can train groups of no more than 30 students, grades 6-12, in basic negotiation skills. A minimum of one hour is needed. Again, we need to know your goals for the students so that we can provide what you want.
   

Scheduling and costs: Please contact the student in charge of the program at (618) 453-3257 to arrange for scheduling. Please call at least a month in advance. Our students have rigorous class attendance requirements so we need your cooperation on scheduling.

There is no cost for the training time for the programs listed above. We do ask you to make copies of the materials we will use. If you can help defer travel costs, we appreciate it. This program is supported by a grant from the Office of the Attorney General of Illinois Crime Prevention program.

Where: We offer our services for Jackson, Franklin, Union, and Williamson, and other nearby counties.

Faculty Development: For those who can offer programs for your faculty, we recommend the National Center for Conflict Resolution Education, P.O. Box 17241, Urbana, IL 61803, (217) 384-4118. They offer workshops around the state, conferences, and consulting and training at schools or can refer you to other resources.

Two helpful hints. Below is a reference list concerning books, videos, and other materials you may want to order or examine. Second, we use the term "peer mediation" to refer to one form of conflict resolution education. "Peer mediation" refers to a means of resolving disputes within the school through mediation with students trained to be mediators. Many schools also incorporate the concepts and skills of conflict resolution into the curriculum for all students. The reference sheet lists some of those resources as well.

When carefully planned and integrated into the curriculum and disciplinary system of the school, conflict resolution education is a helpful tool for educators. Like everything else, conflict resolution education, including peer mediation, is no magical solution to all the ills of the world. We urge you to read, plan, and consult with schools with on-going programs.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the student in charge by calling our secretary and leaving a message for the student in charge. We can be reached at (618) 453-3257.

Conflict Resolution in the Schools: An Overview - Resources

Peer Mediation Manuals

• Peer Mediation: Conflict Resolution in Schools. A Student Guide and A Program Guide. Schrumpf, Crawford, and Usadel. 1991. Research Press, 2612 North Mattis Avenue, Champaign, IL 61821.
  
  
• Fuss Busters Teachers Guide, For Elementary School Peer Mediation. Third Edition, 1990. The Mediation Center, 189 College Street, Asheville, NC 28801.
  
  
• Creating the Peaceable School. Bodine, Crawford, and Schrumpf. 2002. Research Press, 2612 North Mattis Avenue, Champaign, IL 61821.

Curriculum Guides

• Making Choices About Conflict, Security, and Peacemaking, Part 1: Personal Perspectives, A High School Conflict Resolution Curriculum, by Carol Miller Lieber, Educators for Social Responsibility, 23 Garden St., Cambridge, MA 02138.
  
  
• Elementary Perspectives 1: Teaching Concepts of Peace and Conflict. William J. Kreidler. 1990. Educators for Social Responsibility, 23 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, 617-492-1764.
  
  
• Creative Conflict Resolution: More Than 200 Activities for Keeping Peace In The Classroom, K-6. William J. Kreidler. 1984. Scott Foresman (www.ScottForesman.com), Available through ESR above.
  
  
• Conflict Resolution: An Elementary School Curriculum and Conflict Resolution: A Secondary School Curriculum. The Community Board Program, Inc., 1540 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94102.
  
  
• Teaching Students To Be Peacemakers. Johnson and Johnson. 1991. Interaction Book Company, 7208 Cornelia Drive, Edina, MN 55435.
  
  
• Conflict, Courts and Trials. Riekes, et al. Third Edition, 1991. West Publishing Company, 50 W. Kellogg Blvd., PO Box 64526, St. Paul, MN 55164-0526.
  
  
• Cooperative Learning, Cooperative Lives: A Sourcebook Of Activities For Building A Peaceful World. Schniedewind & Davidson. Available through CREnet, address below.
  
  
• Managing Conflict: A Curriculum For Adolescents. Noreen Duffey Copeland. Available through CREnet, address below.
  
  
• Creative Conflict Solving For Kids Grades 4-9. Fran Schmidt and Alice Friedman. Grace Contrino Abrams Peace Education Foundation, Inc. (www.peace-ed.org), PO Box 19-1153, Miami Beach, FL 33139.
  
  
• Tug Of War and Why Is Everybody Always Picking On Me. Terrence Webster-Doyle. From Solving Conflict Nonviolently Series. Atrium Society, PO Box 816, Middlebury, VT 05753.

Groups

• Educators for Social Responsibility, 23 Garden St., Cambridge, MA 02138, 617-492-1764.
  
  
• National Center for Conflict Resolution Education, Illinois Bar Center, P.O. Box 17241, Urbana, IL 61803, 217-384-4118.