Maine Peer Mediation Program Implementation Outline
STAGE 1: INTRODUCE PROGRAM
- Generate administrative - staff support through a needs assessment and goal-setting.
- Conduct an awareness session and demonstrate peer mediation.
- Secure funding for the program.
- Select the coordinating committee.
STAGE 2: TRAIN STAFF
- Conduct a staff development workshop in conflict resolution and peer mediation.
- Train the coordinating committee.
- Establish record-keeping and evaluation.
- Plan program details (referral process, case coordinators, promotion plan, link to discipline policy)
STAGE 3: INTRODUCE CONFLICT RESOLUTION CURRICULUM (Optional)
- Introduce conflict resolution curriculum materials to staff.
- Develop the conflict resolution lesson plans.
- Teach lessons to students in the classroom or through the guidance program.
STAGE 4: SELECT AND TRAIN MEDIATORS
- Establish criteria for mediator selection emphasizing diversity.
- Select student mediators.
- Plan mediator training (trainers, site, materials, food, substitutes, certificates)
- Administer the pre-training survey.
- Conduct the training.
- Meet with mediators to plan details of program.
STAGE 5: OPEN PEER MEDIATION PROGRAM
- Promote the peer mediation process within the school.
- Introduce the program school-wide, to parents and to the community.
- Refer cases to mediation (staff, disciplinarian, students).
- Schedule and conduct mediations.
- Maintain program records.
- Administer mediator surveys.
- Hold regular meetings with mediators to review mediations and build skills.
STAGE 6: MAINTAIN AND EXPAND PROGRAM
- Evaluate the program and revise as necessary.
- Participate in Peer Mediation Association of Maine (PM/AM) conferences.
- Conduct advanced training.
- Select and train new student mediators each year.
- Integrate the conflict resolution curriculum into academic subjects.
For more information, contact
Pam Anderson
Maine Law & Civics Education
U. Maine School of Law
246 Deering Ave.
Portland, ME 04102(207) 780-4991
Email: pamelaa@usm.maine.edu