Date of Award
2002
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
EdD Program for Educational Leaders
Advisor
Thomas Olin Huffman
Committee Member
Patricia Grimes
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Committee Member
Claudia Santin
Keywords
Alabama, attitudes, behavior, Bradshaw High School, communication skills, community volunteers, conflict resolution, disputants, educational environment, Florence, Grades 9-12, interviews, negative attitudes, parents, peer mediation, peer mediators, positive behavior, positive social skills, qualitative data, quantitative data, social development, student conflicts, student support services, student suspensions, students, surveys, suspensions, teachers, unresolved conflicts, violent behaviors
Abstract
The applied dissertation process included the study of whether peer mediation is effective in reducing student suspensions. It also included a search for means to increase positive behaviors and to reduce violent behaviors and negative attitudes of students. It sought to increase students’ communication skills, helping them to respond to others in a more positive manner. The outcome of this applied dissertation appeared to result in increased positive social skills among students.
This applied dissertation study focused on behaviors of students at Bradshaw High School in Florence, Alabama, a 750-student school serving Grades 9-12 at the time of the research. The target group was 100 students in Grades 9-12 at Bradshaw High School during 2000-2001. The applied dissertation intervention focused on a grade-level cohort but, due to inability to disaggregate grade-level information, the apparent effects of the intervention were compared with school-wide data. Intervention consisted of a peer mediation program intended to increase positive behavior and reduce student-student conflicts that lead to suspensions. Teachers, students, community volunteers, and parents were trained in peer mediation/conflict resolution during the 36-week implementation of this intervention.
Teachers, students, and parents were surveyed to determine multidimensional perceptions about peer mediation. Surveys were completed before and after program implementation. In addition, student and teacher interviews were conducted to determine perceived benefits of the peer mediation program.
Based upon both quantitative and qualitative data, it appears the peer mediation program at Bradshaw achieved its objectives and resulted in other benefits. Specifically, this program appears to have caused a substantial reduction in the number of suspensions resulting from unresolved student conflicts. Improvements have been noted in the educational environment and in the educational and social development of peer mediators and disputants.