This case study of peer mediation at one urban high school examines who benefits and how they benefit. Data from observations of peer mediator training, mediation sessions, interviews, and school records indicate that though peer mediation is designed to resolve conflicts in school, it is the mediators themselves who benefit most from the…

Violence-prevention measures at railroad crossings may not work at schools! This special issue highlights three approaches to dealing with youth violence: prevention (peace building); intervention (peace making); and security (peace keeping). The problem stems from incivility, lack of respect, and unconstructive communication. Diverse perspectives…

This article focuses on several approaches for schools to use of improve school climate, in part to prevent violence or at least to improve student behavioral conflicts, including: parent and community involvement, character education, violence-prevention and conflict-resolution curricula, peer mediation, and bullying prevention. (Contains…

Many schools and educational programs are successfully responding to the problem of student violence. This article explores a variety of techniques that include school or program-wide initiatives, partnerships, or collaborations with outside agencies; partnerships with families; and classroom curricula that help youth learn to resolve conflicts…

Schools are facing increasing levels of violence spawned by violent media and communities. In response, many educators employ peace education strategies to make schools safer and help students deal positively with conflict. This article summarizes these reform efforts, distinguishes among three levels of peace education, describes resources, and…

Investigated relationships between conflict tactics and coercive sexual behavior within relationships. College student surveys indicated that greater magnitudes of sexual coercion associated with higher levels of abusive conflict tactics and with psychological abuse within relationships. People engaging in psychological abuse were more likely to…

An awareness of the important role of spirituality is growing within the education system. Meditation on and the inclusion of religious works as literature in some public school curricula are occurring. Students are seeking for personal identity to give meaning to their lives in the fast-paced world of the 21st century. The purpose of this article…

Ice hockey can be a violent sport as evidenced by the fighting among the members of an ice hockey team of 13-year-old boys from mixed racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Two series of eight art sessions were used to help the boys develop respect for themselves and others, to solve conflicts without combat, and to build more positive…

Comments on an article by Eidelson and Eidelson (see record 2003-03645-004) which made an important contribution, at a critical juncture, to the discussion of international conflicts by identifying core dimensions that allow for the systematic examination of the problem. Their article also posed a danger that mirrors a disturbing trend in the…

Serious incidents at school have profound consequences for many people the direct or indirect victims-and often cause major tensions within the school. The school board has few or no means at its disposal for giving a constructive response. The positive results of restorative group conferencing in a judicial framework created the expectation that…

This document presents an effective way to view, select, and integrate school safety policies and programs. It offers a typology of school safety approaches, examines within the context of this typology a broad range of current policies and practices to prevent or manage violence, and provides a set of prompting questions for each of the three…

This document was written by and for educators concerned about the classroom disruptions that steal instructional hours and endanger the safety of students. It also should be useful to community groups and parents who help children to develop productive skills in dealing with their own emotions and dealing with others in constructive ways. The…

In an attempt to measure intrafamily conflict and violence, the author introduces the Conflict Resolution Technique Scales (CRT). In practice, the way people deal with conflict is so much part of the unrealized, "taken for granted" ongoing pattern of life that much will be missed unless the respondent is specifically asked. In the case of the CRT…

This paper attempts a description of some of the problems principals face, along with suggestions for solving them. The main focus is on discipline and dealing with student misconduct, but relations with parents, teachers, and police are also considered. (Author/SJL)

Role playing is part of a violence-prevention program for sixth graders in Richmond (Virginia) Public Schools called Responding in Peaceful and Positive Ways (RIPP). The district includes nine middle schools with about 2,000 students; 95% are African Americans. The program stresses personal responsibility, respect for others, and a peaceful future…