Several weeks ago I reported that Alabama state senator Rodger Smitherman introduced a bill to require high school students learn about Violence Prevention, Conflict Resolution, and Mediation before graduation and direct the state’s Department of Education to develop standards and provide teacher training.

The bill passed requiring that beginning with the 2027-2028 school year all public school students would be required to complete a program in conflict resolution. Local school districts have the authority to develop the specific content and delivery consistent with statewide standards that include:

• Causes and effects of school violence.

• Consequences of violent behavior.

• Understanding the relationships between alcohol, drugs, and violence.

• Reasonsible decision-making skills.

• Non-violent confllict resolution techniques including mediation.

Smitherman also introduced another bill requiring couples getting married to complete a conflict resolution class.

No doubt communities across the nation are searching for ways to address discord and violence. Perhaps not widely recognized, Conflict Resolution programs are now in place in many schools. It’s estimated that approximately 25% of schools have implemented Peer Mediation programs. While most of these are small, they have been shown to reduce conflicts on campuses.

There is every reason to introduce such programs locally so all students receive Conflict Resolution education.

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Fred Jandt is the author of the new book “How to Survive a Mediation,” available online at Barnes & Noble and other booksellers.

If you’ve read any of my previous posts, then you know they’ve been about mediation and conflict resolution.

However, this time I’d like to present my latest book called, “A Hard Farewell,” which is something entirely different and very personal for me.

Many of us had dogs or cats that truly became part of our family. And when their time comes to an end, we can feel deep loss and grief. It can be difficult to deal with that grief because we fear others won't understand that losing a treasurerd pet can be quite traumatic.

After experiencing that loss myself, I was motivated to write this short book as a guide to help others deal with such grief and let you know you’re not alone.

“A Hard Farewell” is available now on Amazon.

I invite you to take a look even if it’s been sometime since you experienced loss.