Conflict education in a special needs population

In: Mediation quarterly: journal of the Academy of Family Mediators, Band 17, Heft 2, S. 109-124

Abstract

AbstractThis article reports on a two‐part pilot project in which a conflict education program and a peer mediation program were implemented in a special needs population to reduce students' aggressive behaviors and improve the school's climate. The participating school was an approved private school to which students (ages five through twenty‐one) with learning disability (LD), emotional disability (ED), or attention deficit‐hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were referred from public education institutions unequipped to provide necessary services. The project is discussed in terms of needs assessment, program development and implementation, and insights for training with a special needs population. Research was conducted to ascertain the impact of conflict education training on incidents of aggressive behavior and school climate. Results indicate a significant reduction in the most serious behavioral incidents during the project period, as well as a slight increase in moderately serious incidents and a sharp increase in nonserious incidents. A decrease in the frequency of fights among younger students and a significant improvement in school climate were also apparent.