About Mediation and Mediators for Schools

1. Mediation

Mediation is the process in which a third-party neutral assists disputants to solve their own problems. In school mediation programs, mediators generally work in teams of two to get disputing parties talking together about their problem. During the phases or steps of the mediation, the mediators help the disputants to communicate and to search for win-win solutions agreeable to both parties.

Mediation is appropriate when:

• the disputants want to solve the problem
• the solution is negotiable
• the disputants can mediate as equals

2. Mediators

Mediators are facilitators of the process. Mediators are not judges, detectives or counselors. They lead the disputants through the phases or steps.

An effective mediator can:

• remain calm in stressful situations
• remain impartial
• help without judging
• maintain confidentiality
• work as part of a team

3. Skills developed in training

• the ability to direct the mediation phases
• good communication and listening skills
• ease in establishing a positive atmosphere
• teamwork and team building
• problem solving
• an awareness of what makes a good solutionSelecting Student Mediators for elementary schools

There are numerous methods for selecting mediators.
Here are two suggestions:

Sociogram

a. Use a classroom activity to survey the classes from which mediators will be chosen.
Example: Give each student a half sheet of paper. Ask the students to imagine they are stuck in an elevator (or on a desert island). Ask them to think about the qualities they would look for in a person to help. Briefly talk about these qualities: someone you'd trust, people who are willing to help, people who share. Then ask students to list students who have these qualities. (Be sure to give directions about numbers of boys and girls to be named).

Note: Some schools want to use a question closer to a school problem. An example might involve a problem about sharing equipment, lost lunch money, a disagreement with a friend. (Be sure to emphasize that you are looking for students who could help with non-violent problem solving!)

b. Advisors "weed out" the lists, tally them up, find out which students are perceived as leaders by their peers. Advisors decide which students from this list would be good mediators.

c. Ask the selected students whether they'd be interested. Give them applications and the application deadline. (This will further refine the list). In some schools, a counselor conducts individual interviews with students, explaining what mediation is, what the program and training will require, and the commitment students are asked to make.

d. When applications are in, Advisors make the selection, looking for a balance which reflects the school: gender, age, diversity. (Note: Top grades are not a requirement).

e. Send letters to the parents of the selected students. Include congratulations and an invitation to stop in and observe the training. Inform them of the time of the parent meeting, if one is included in the training.

Application

Some schools prefer to ask students to fill out an application form. Advisors or a committee of teachers then make the selection from the written application. Often an written application is followed by an individual interview with the advisor or school counselor.

About Mediation and Mediators for Middle Schools and High Schools

1. Mediation

Mediation is a process in which a third-party neutral assists disputants to solve their own problems. During the phases or steps of the mediation, the mediators help the disputants to communicate and to search for win-win solutions agreeable to both parties. Mediation is confidential and voluntary.

Mediation is appropriate when:

• the disputants want to solve the problem
• the solution is negotiable
• the disputants can mediate as equals

2. Mediators

Mediators, who work in teams of two, are facilitators of the process. Mediators are not judges, detectives or counselors. They lead the disputants through the phases or steps.

An effective mediator can:

• remain calm in stressful situations
• remain impartial
• help without judging
• maintain confidentiality
• work as part of a team

Mediators are selected for their experience, skill and ability to work together. Selection also takes into account the age, gender and race of disputants in order to reflect similar diversity in the mediation team. Neutrality and the appearance of neutrality are essential.

3. Mediation Process

The mediation process includes 6 phases:

a. Introduction
disputants and mediators meet
mediators explain the process
mediators establish ground rules

b. Telling the story
each disputant speaks, without interruption, to the mediators
mediators understand the problem and the disputant's feelings
disputants haer their side and the other side of the story

c. Understanding the problem
disputants speak to each other with guidance from the mediator
mediators help each disputant understand the problem from the other's view
disputants may express feelings, emphasize, and clarify
mediators help disputants recognize and define the problem(s)

d. Find possible solutions
disputants brainstorm possible solutions
disputants consider pros and cons after brainstorming
disputants search for realistic solutions

e. Agreement
disputants officially and specifically agree on the solution(s)
disputants sign an agreement

f. Departure
mediators formally thank the disputants and end the mediation
When necessary mediators or disputants may call for a break.
In some cases the mediators meet separately with disputants for purposes of clarification.

For more information write to: Office of Social Development & World Peace
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194 (202) 541-3000
Website: www.usccb.org/sdwp/index.htm