How can conflict resolution be added to the k-12 school curriculum?
Seven ways to incorporate conflict resolution in the high school curriculum:
1. Integrate it as a group of skill literacies and thus into a class with credit.
2. Encourage conflict resolution as a simulation based exercise which better teaches objectives a given teacher, school, or school district believes is important or is required by law to meet.
3. Create a pilot project based on conflict resolution as a fun after-school program (i.e. turn it into a game or a way to reach other goals like college). After school programs are pretty effective, so it may be an easier sell.
4. Teach conflict resolution as part of teacher education programs.
5. Integrate conflict resolution with another “X skill across the curriculum” movement or program. The only one I’m familiar with is Debate Across the Curriculum.
6. Get a pilot project as a prototype to prove the value of conflict resolution and your curriculum to achieve particular results. Get buy in from individual teachers.
7. Make the economic, educational, and emotional case for conflict resolution. Remember, any change is likely going to have to displace some other portion of the curriculum unless its an after school program or teaches objectives they have to teach already (but are doing so ineffectively)
