Conflict Resolution Education - National Criminal Justice Reference ...

students and adults resolve their differences through
conflict resolution processes. These people are typically
the driving force of the program through their
enthusiasm, problem-solving skills, support for others
in trying something new, and refusal to give up.
Successful programs involve the faculty in program
planning and give them adequate initial and
ongoing training. Programs implemented without
adequate planning and training are not usually sustainable.
A shared vision among faculty is a fundamental
building block of program success. One way
to ensure faculty commitment is to involve them in
program development through a strategic planning
process. Appendix H provides a brief description of
the essential components of a strategic plan.
Parent Involvement and Support
Parents, like administrators and faculty, need to
understand the programs that are being implemented
in their children’s school. Their support is
important to the success of those programs and can
be built through presentations at parent meetings
in the school and in the community. Presentations in
which students demonstrate the conflict resolution
process provide an excellent forum for discussion.
Parents can serve as volunteers helping to implement
the program or can attend conflict resolution
training designed especially for them. Involving parents
extends conflict resolution beyond the classroom.
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Program Evaluation
Any program in schools today needs to establish
performance goals and to measure progress toward
achieving those goals. An evaluation must
show whether the program is reaching its goals
(student and adult outcomes) and how it is enhancing
the learning process. Program evaluation also
provides valuable data for continuous improvement.
Programs that are unable to report progress,
outcomes, and impact rigorously are not likely to
survive.
Implementing a conflict resolution program is
an extremely complex process that demands considerable
energy and time from the adults involved.
The impact of conflict resolution programs occurs
over time. It is important to remember that conflict
resolution education is not a “quick fix.” The initial
time invested eventually pays off in time gained
when students resolve their own problems without
the intervention of the adults in the school.
Notes
1. Reno, J. 1996. “Attorney General Announces New
Effort To Prevent School Violence.” U.S. Department
of Justice press release, May 29, 1996.
2. Otey, L. 1996 (May). Personal communication.