Mediation in the Schools. Mediation is one form of conflict management that is getting widespread attention in schools across America. Mediation involves a neutral third person, called a mediator, who assists the disputants in resolving their problem with the consent of all parties. It offers a risk free way to settle disputes for the parties involved in the dispute. No agreement, no deal.
Conflict is a normal, natural part of everyday life.
Despite the violent overtones of its Latin translation, conflict and violence are not synonymous. However, unresolved and lingering conflict frequently leads to violence, interfering with productivity and the quality of life in schools and the community. Extensive data illustrate that instances of violence, including bias-related violence and disciplinary problems in schools around the country, are severely interfering with the learning environment of students. The rising incidence of violence in the schools has led numerous school districts to implement a wide range of costly safety measures from purchasing metal detectors to hiring full-time police officers. Although such measures may limit violent acts in the schools, they do not attack the causes of violence and often serve only to move the violence elsewhere in the community.