Conflict Resolution Education: Goals, Models, Benefits and Implementation Tricia S. Jones, Ph.D. Temple University

Objectives Introduce CRE models and goals Explain the relationship of CRE to other programs Review the proven benefits of CRE for students and schools

Discussion Questions What kinds of conflicts do you see in your districts/schools? What are your needs for a Conflict Resolution Education program - where should the focus be? What are your current efforts? What are your challenges to establishing these programs?

Contents of CRE Program Components An understanding of conflict principles of conflict resolution process steps in problem solving skills required to use each of the steps effectively

Content of CRE Essential Skills and Abilities’ orientation abilities perception abilities emotional abilities communication abilities creative-thinking abilities critical thinking abilities

CRE Program Models Process curriculum approach Mediation program approach Peaceable classroom approach Peaceable school approach

Goals of CRE Programs Create a Safe Learning Environment Create a Constructive Learning Environment Improve Classroom Management Enhance Students’ Social and Emotional Development Create a Constructive Conflict Community

Goals of CRE Programs Create a Safe Learning Environment decrease incidents of violence decrease anti-social behavior that leads to violence decrease conflicts between groups of students decrease suspensions, absenteeism, and drop out rates

Goals of CRE Programs Create a Constructive Learning Environment improve school climate improve teacher/administrator/student relationships increase valuing of diversity and practice of tolerance promote a respectful and caring environment

Goals of CRE Programs Improve Classroom Management Reduce the time teachers spend on discipline increase use of student-centered discipline

Goals of CRE Programs E nhance Students’ Social and Emotional Development increase perspective-taking increase empathy improve emotional awareness and management reduce aggressive orientations and hostile attributions increase use of constructive conflict behaviors

Goals of CRE Programs Create a Constructive Conflict Community increase parental and community involvement link school CRE with larger commuity CRE efforts develop more peaceful/peaceable school community

Relationship of CRE to Other Fields Social and Emotional Learning Violence Prevention Anti-Bias Education Law-Related Education Conflict Resolution Education

Violence Prevention VP is more limited in scope VP tends to focus more on systemic causes of violence than CRE VP emphasizes policy change while CRE emphasizes individual skill building and community education

Social and Emotional Learning SEL focuses more on general emotional competence conflict management skills are related but lesser focus SEL programs are geared more toward younger K-5 students

Anti-Bias Education ABE focuses on cross-cultural awareness ABE concentrates on prejudice reduction and appreciation for diversity ABE has strong hate crime prevention elements ABE examines the systemic roots of oppression and strategizing to dismantle them

Law-Related Education LRE explores the foundations and processes of law and legal institutions LRE focuses on the full spectrum of conflict management that overlaps with law and legal institutions