BP 5138

Students

Conflict Resolution/Peer Mediation

To promote student safety and contribute to the maintenance of a positive school climate, the Governing Board encourages the development of school-based conflict resolution programs designed to help students learn constructive ways of handling conflict. The Board believes that such programs can reduce violence and promote communication, personal responsibility and problem-solving skills among students.

Conflict resolution strategies shall be considered as part of each school's comprehensive safety plan and incorporated into other district discipline procedures as appropriate. Conflict resolution programs shall not supplant the authority of staff to take appropriate action as necessary to prevent violence, ensure student safety, maintain order in the school, and institute disciplinary measures.

As a part of the Employability Skills program used by Central County Occupational Center, activities may include curriculum in conflict resolution, including, but not limited to, instruction in effective communication and listening, critical thinking, problem-solving processes and the use of negotiation to find mutually acceptable solutions. In addition, the curriculum may address students' ethical and social development, respect for diversity, and interpersonal and behavioral skills.

In developing a conflict resolution and/or peer mediation program, school-site teams shall address, as appropriate:

1. The grade levels and courses in which the conflict resolution curriculum shall be delivered

2. Staff development related to the implementation of the curriculum and modeling of appropriate behaviors and communication skills

3. The appropriate involvement of parents/guardians, the community and staff, including counseling/guidance and security staff

4. Communications to students, parents/guardians and staff regarding the availability of the program

5. Methods of following up with students to determine the effectiveness of the process

6. Development of assessment tools to periodically evaluate the success of the program including, but not limited to, measurements of whether there has been a reduction in violence at the school and whether the school's suspension rates have fallen since the program has been introduced

Legal Reference:

EDUCATION CODE

32280-32288 School safety plans

32295.5 Teen court programs

35291-35291.5 Rules

44807 Duty concerning conduct of students

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION

Article 1, Section 28(c) Right to safe schools

Adopted: 5/10/06

Revised: