Page 32 - Shared Solutions: A Guide to Preventing and Resolving Conflicts Regarding Programs and Services for Students with Special Education Needs 2007

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Conflict Resolution Dos and Don’ts
Do
Look for solutions
Focus on the problem
Take a non-adversarial approach Use dialogue
Focus on the student’s interests Think that “everyone can win” Focus on change
Don’t
Look for someone to blame Focus on the person
Take an adversarial approach Engage in debate
Focus on a predetermined outcome Think that “someone has to lose” Focus on control
Shared Solutions | 2007
The Role of Constructive Thinking
Successful conflict resolution also depends on the ability of all participants to think constructively throughout the proceedings and avoid attitudes and behav- iours that can block progress.
Important components of constructive thinking include: believing that a solution can be found;
believing that all parties are focused on the student’s interests and want to remove apparent barriers to a solution;
accepting that there can be more than one way to solve a problem.
The following list of conflict resolution do’s and don’ts highlights some key atti- tudes and behaviours that characterize constructive thinking – and the opposite.
(Source: Adapted from Ontario Principals’ Council, The Art of Resolution: Essential Skills for School Leaders: An Ontario Principals’ Council Resource Book, 2006.)
Principles of Successful Conflict Prevention and Resolution13
Any process of informal conflict prevention or resolution should be based on the following principles:
A FOCUS ON THE STUDENT
The student’s progress and well-being must be the primary focus of all discussions between parents and educators. The goal of any conflict resolution strategy must
13. Adapted from Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth, Working Together: A Guide to Positive Problem Solving for Schools, Families and Communities, 2004, pp. 9–10.