Drawing on data from a year-long multi-case ethnography of three secondary urban public schools implementing restorative practices, the current piece examines how principals negotiate restorative practices despite conflicting pressures to maintain order and compel obedience. I frame my inquiry through Sergiovanni's (2000) concept of…

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of conflict resolution and related social skill development on students meta-cognitive competencies. The investigation was conducted throughout a 5-year period in elementary schools in the Philadelphia School District and in a neighboring urban school district. Sample subjects were fourth-and…

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of conflict resolution and related social skill development on students' meta-cognitive competencies. The investigation was conducted throughout a 5-year period in elementary schools in the Philadelphia School District and in a neighboring urban school district. Sample subjects were fourth-and…

Examines the response made by San Antonio (Texas) public schools to school violence and discusses the competing disciplinary views offered to address the problems. The author distinguishes between rhetorical and actual efforts to solve community problems in urban areas that surround urban schools and argues for mediation as a theory of social…

Presents an overview of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, a key federal program that provides funding directly to states and local educational agencies to facilitate drug and violence prevention programs. The Gun-Free Schools Act is also examined, and the major challenges communities face in correcting school safety problems are…

Assesses the current educational-reform movement through an examination of the effectiveness of peace education and conflict resolution programs in urban schools. The current reform movement is seen as based on assumptions that ignore the structural crisis in the U.S. economy, use as their baseline data a standard of education excellence from a…

Examines the role of conflict resolution in addressing bias-related incidents and hate crimes. The author discusses how one organization, Children's Creative Response to Conflict, is working to teach conflict-resolution skills to students and teachers to reduce bias-related violence. Recommendations for the creation of bigotry-free school…

Briefly explores the issue of conflict resolution (CR) in education; the introduction of CR into the public schools; and whether CR processes such as mediation meet the needs of nondominant groups. It also introduces several articles that discuss specific approaches to the development and implementation of CR programs in schools. (GLR)

Discusses whether the current trend toward implementing conflict-resolution (CR) programs in schools promotes social justice or supports an inequitable, systemic status quo. The authors also examine the relationships between the educational mission of schools and the concept of social justice and CR's impact on school culture and community. Issues…

Provides a personal view of a midsized urban school district's efforts to implement conflict-resolution programs throughout the district. The authors present the different approaches used and reflect on the successes or failures of each approach. Recommendations for overcoming common obstacles in program development are offered. (GLR)