Constructive conflict resolution for students with behavioral disorders

The ability to resolve conflict is an important skill for all students, including those who have behavioral disorders (BD). The focus of this article is on constructive conflict resolution and common strategies used to teach conflict resolution skills to students. The authors illustrate the application of constructive conflict resolution techniques in a middle-school program for students with BD, discussing the use of mediation, negotiation, constructive controversy, and classroom meetings. They describe their initial efforts to explore the impact of this program on students, and conclude with implications for teachers to consider when implementing similar programs in their classrooms.