Conflict Resolution Education - National Criminal Justice Reference ...

Group Problem Solving. Group problem solving
is taught as a creative strategy for dealing with conflicts
that involve a number of students within the
classroom, within groups, and between groups in
the school. The group’s responsibility is to achieve
a consensus decision that, when implemented, will
resolve the conflict.
The conflict resolution training provided
our staff with skills and processes for real
and effective collaboration. I do not think
we have ever worked together so well.
We are able to make decisions that address
our goals and interests without feeling
threatened or angered by change. We
are reaching consensus and making new
commitments.
Principal, Chicago, Illinois
Other Areas of Development
The CPS program includes three additional areas
of outreach: (1) intensive professional development
(training, coaching, and technical assistance for administrators,
teachers, and support staff), (2) parent
education, and (3) community initiatives.
Professional Development. IIDR approaches professional
development as an opportunity to create a
learning community among teachers, administrators,
and support staff in which members help and support
each other. Part of this process includes examining
their handling of conflict in their private and
public lives, particularly in their relationships with
students.
The CPS program emphasizes the need for introductory
workshops with followup strategic planning
and technical support. IIDR consultants provide
onsite followup in schools to support school staff—
teachers, administrators, and support personnel—as
the peaceable school program is being implemented.
Professional development includes a range of activities
such as demonstrating teaching methods in
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classrooms, helping teachers plan, observing classes,
providing feedback, and coaching.
Parent Education. The peaceable school is brought
to parents through Peaceable Home workshops,
which are given at locations such as public, private,
and alternative schools; public housing projects; and
community centers. These workshops teach parents
the skills and concepts of conflict resolution. Parents
learn to apply these concepts in their homes,
schools, and communities.
Community Initiatives. In creating peaceable
schools, school administrators and teachers play a
critical role in reaching out to leaders and families
in the community to engage them in conflict resolution
strategies. The peaceable school expands into
the peaceable neighborhood through extension to
parents, police, churches, and neighborhood coalitions.
The following IIDR youth and community
activities mobilize youth, parents, community activists,
agencies, and organizations to help create
peaceable schools and neighborhoods:
♦ Peer education. High school youth are recruited
to form a Youth Peace Corps trained to teach
conflict resolution strategies, including anger
management, to their peers and to middle and
elementary school students. This group must represent
a cross section of the entire student body.
These highly trained youth provide strong role
models for younger students because they teach
these skills in the school and use their skills in the
neighborhood.
I was so impressed with how seriously the
kids took the training and how well they
did. They were very much taken by the
whole notion of conflict resolution. We
adults that assisted with training got caught
up in the simulations and resorted to our
“old ways.” The students seemed able to see
the problems much more simply. It was not
difficult for them at all.
Parent, Wilmette, Illinois