Mediation training should produce highly successful mediators who are capable of carrying out smooth and effective mediation. This study assessed subjects' perceptions of the effectiveness of mediation by comparing trained team mediators to untrained team mediators. Subjects (N=30) evaluated videotaped mediation vignettes showing both the trained…

This synthesis paper examines the use of mediation to improve parent-school district communication and resolve disagreements in special education. It focuses on the development and implementation of mediation as a viable alternative to the formal hearing process under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). After an introduction,…

One of eight papers from Project Seed, this paper discusses an 8-week program on conflict resolution used among fourth- through sixth-graders at one school. The program described could easily be implemented in other schools. Through the program, students are trained in a step-by-step mediation process; those students who become Classroom Mediators…

This unit of materials focuses on understanding conflict, individually and in the social extreme of war. The unit's purpose is to examine the underlying primary factors that create conflict in relationships and explore alternatives for resolution. The 20 lessons include: (1) "The Beginner's Eye"; (2) "Discovering the Wise…

The purpose of this study was to use three public school action research teams to identify the most desirable, feasible, and effective system-centered strategies, peer-centered strategies, personnel-centered strategies, and child-centered strategies for promoting a sense of belonging. One hundred and sixty four strategies were examined. Eight…

In 1997, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation requiring local school boards to conduct school safety audits for each school under their jurisdiction. Guidelines for helping educators conduct these audits are presented here. This guide is designed to help administrators chart an informed, responsible, and proactive course toward…

The discourse of writing center conferences was studied to determine whether it is potentially different from classroom discourse. The question was what happens to communication between teacher and student when the setting and roles are somewhat altered. The writing center setting was chosen because the focus is on face-to-face conversation that…

This module presents a curriculum on violence prevention for middle school students. It begins with a discussion of what violence is. The second lesson helps students to examine the portrayal of violence in various media. In the third lesson, students examine their own anger and their own tendencies toward violence. The fourth lesson examines the…

This document analyzes the two main indigenous groups in the south of the Philippines. It outlines the history of the Lumad and Moro communities of Mindanao. The document discusses the effects of development and business interests in the region, and their campaigns around land issues. The Lumad and Moro accept the need to develop new sources of…

This directory provides a representative sampling of programs that offer training in prejudice reduction, conflict resolution, and violence prevention to young people in their schools and communities and to the people who work with them. Project profiles include the following information categories: (1) the organization's name, address, telephone,…

Findings of a study that examined the relationship of administrative role conflict and ambiguity with stress and burnout are presented in this paper. A survey sent to 1,000 Washington State administrators (250 each from the following groups--elementary, junior, and senior high school principals; and superintendents) elicited 741 returns, a 74…

To insure that each child has a safe and positive environment at school, teachers should earn their pupils' respect and classroom activities should be oriented to helping each child succeed. Three key phrases reinforce the expectation of success. These phrases, which teacher and pupils should understand and remember, are: (1) It is O.K. to make a…

While conflict resolution programs in the elementary schools have been in existence for the last decade, few studies have provided quantitative data concerning the effectiveness of such programs. A study was conducted which used interviews and surveys to focus on the development, implementation, and results of a Conflict Manager program at one…

Avoidance strategies involve the tactics and techniques people use when they don't wish to be influenced by others. To investigate the types of avoidance strategies men and women use to deal with an unwelcome persuasion attempt from an intimate partner, undergraduates wrote essays describing how they avoided such attempts. A 24-strategy coding…

The nature of the small group in university teaching and the role of the tutor is considered, and reference is made to the British system. After describing the way a free group achieves a working relationship, the importance of understanding and utilizing communication patterns to increase the effectiveness of a seminar or tutorial is noted.…