rockdale county schools 2014 peer mediation graduation
TRANSCRIPT
Rockdale County Schools
2014 Peer Mediation
Graduation
What is Mediation?
Mediation includes a neutral third party, a trained peer mediator, and students who are willing to solve their own conflict(s).
The key to mediation is that students must be willing to participate in the process!
In the words of the students…
Derrick Williamson
Conflict cannot survive without your participation.
Wayne Dyer
Tashiana Fisher
Story of the Starfish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qtr4YLRvZI
The goals of the RCPS Peer Mediation Program Reducing the amount of time adults spend on
disciplinary issues;
Decreasing in-school and out-of-school suspensions for students;
Improving attitudes and behaviors regarding conflict;
Improving school climate;
Advancing academic achievement by increasing attendance;
Reducing dropout rates.
Types of Disputes Suitable for Peer Mediation
Gossip and rumors
Name calling
Property disputes
Relationship problems
Disputes on Face book, Twitter, Instagram, and Ask FM
Misunderstandings
Aftercare when students return from suspension
Types of disputes that are not suitable for peer mediation
Physical FightsBullyingSexual AssaultIllegal activitiesViolence due to weapons
Training
Peer mediators go through 20 hours of intensive training during the fall semester to participate in the program.
Each mediator must practice his/her skills for 5 additional hours!
Peer Mediation Coordinators
Uphold the peer mediation standards
Foster administrative, faculty, and student support
Demonstrate sensitivity to bias awareness, cultural diversity, and prejudice reduction.
Maintain policies, procedures, and forms
Maintain records
Handle intake and case management
Evaluate student mediators through self-assessment, observation, and feedback from disputants.
Peer Mediation CoordinatorsHeritage
High School
Rockdale Career
Academy
Rockdale County High
School
Salem High
School
Noemi Seymour
Kierstin Montano
Karen Hardy
Cynthia Morton
Heritage High School Peer Mediators
Rockdale County High School
Salem High School
PEER MEDIATOR PLEDGE
I pledge to make each mediation a voluntary process and not to interfere with party self-determination for any reason.
I pledge to refrain from favoritism, bias, or prejudice. If I cannot be fair, I will withdraw from the mediation.
I pledge to avoid conflicts of interests in a mediation.
I pledge to practice my skills and not conduct a mediation beyond my skill level.
I pledge to keep all information gathered in a mediation confidential unless it falls in one of the three categories: harm to self, harm to others, harm by others.
2013 Statistics
In 2013, over 50 students from all high schools in Rockdale County were trained in peer mediation at Rockdale Career Academy.
Fall 2013, over 15 peer mediations were conducted with a 97% success rate.
Personally, as a result of the training, peer mediators felt they were able to communicate better with others and handle their own conflicts.
YAPP Mobile App
Future…
Conflict Coaching
Peer Restorative Processes
Peer Mediation Competition
Peer Mediation Scholarships
Youth Day, Cincinnati, Ohio
Quote
“We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.” - Fred Rogers
Goal of Rockdale County Schools Peer Mediation Program