Mediation provides an alternative to fighting and intimidation in a school that deals with violence in a positive and proactive manner. The purpose of the mediation process is to teach young people the skills of active listening, problem-solving and empathy for others.  A strong mediation program gives students a support network to access if they have conflict that they cannot handle on their own.  A school with an effective mediation program combined with comprehensive discipline process creates an atmosphere where violence and intimidation are not acceptable ways have dealing with disputes.

Conflict Manager programs train elementary children to help their fellow students solve recess conflicts.  Peer Mediator programs train older students to facilitate more complicated disputes between their peers.  Both programs use problem-solving process called mediation.  The mediation process works from a specific script that includes:

Spencer and Gary have trained a large number of teachers and assisted many schools to set up student mediation programs.  They have numerous examples where student mediation programs combined with a clear discipline model have resulted in a positive change in the school climate.  Talking out problems became a part of the school norm after Conflict Manager and/or Peer Mediator programs were established.