What is Peer Mediation?

A peer mediation program is a program that:

• Mediation is a process of communication and problem solving that leads to resolutions acceptable to all parties involved (Benson & Benson, 1993).
• Trains and equips student mediators in negotiation skills and conflict resolution techniques (Guanci, 2002).
• Peer Mediation recognizes anger as a natural emotion but seeks to instruct students in positive ways to deal with those emotions (Benson & Benson, 1993).
• Students learn to deal with different opinions, to listen to, and understand another's point of view, and to maintain high respect for each other in conflict.
• Peer Mediation is a negotiation-based strategy that teaches students mediators alternative strategies to resolve conflicts among peers.
• Student conflict management that uses two trained mediators to work as a team to encourage problem solving between disputants. Used in conjunction with traditional discipline, such as suspension for serious acts, peer mediation provides a structured forum for resolution. 

Guanci, J. A. (2002). Peer Mediation: A winning solution to conflict resolution. Educational Digest, 67, 26-33.


Lane, P. S. (1992). A peer mediaton model: Conflict resolution for elementary and middle school children. Elementary School Guidance & Counseling. 27, 1-2.