This article outlines an action research project designed to deliver and assess the impact of a conflict-resolution intervention for elementary-aged students, Kelso’s Choice (KC). Findings gathered by the school counselor indicated that participating students increased in their ability to accurately identify a majority of conflict-resolution strategies taught in the program. Teachers also reported that students’ behavior improved greatly after KC was implemented. This article is meant to encourage expansion on the evaluation of KC.
American School Counselor Association. (2014). ASCA mindsets & behaviors for student success: K-12 college- and career-readiness standards for every student. Author.
CareyJ.DimmittC. (2008). A model for evidence-based elementary school counseling: Using school data, research, and evaluation to enhance practice. The Elementary School Journal, 108(5), 422–430. doi.org/10.1086/589471
DeeringR. P. (1988, February). Discipline: Dealing with emotions. NASSP Bulletin, 72(505), 105–106.
11.
DimmittC.CareyJ. C.HatchT. (2007). Evidence-based school counseling: Making a difference with data-driven practices. Corwin.
12.
DurlakJ. A.WeissbergR. P.DymnickiA. B.TaylorR. D.SchellingerK. B. (2011). The impact of enhancing students’ social and emotional learning: A meta-analysis of school-based universal interventions. Child Development, 82(1), 405–432. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01564.x
13.
GrahamB. C.PulvinoC. (2000). Multicultural conflict resolution: Development, implementation and assessment of a program for third graders. Professional School Counseling, 3(3), 172–181.
14.
JohnsonD. W.JohnsonR. T. (2004). Implementing the “Teaching students to be Peacemakers program.” Theory Into Practice, 43(1), 68–79. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15430421tip4301_9
KaffenbergerC.YoungA. (2013). Making data work (3rd ed.). American School Counselor Association.
17.
LaneP. S.McWhirterJ. J. (1992). A peer mediation model: Conflict resolution for elementary and middle school children. Elementary School Guidance & Counseling, 27(1), 15–23.
PoyntonT.CareyJ. C. (2006). An Integrative model of data-based decision making for school counseling. Professional School Counseling, 10(2), 121–130. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759X0601000212
20.
SinkC. A. (2009). School counselors as accountability leaders: Another call for action. Professional School Counseling, 13(2), 68–74. doi.org/10.1177/2156759X0901300202
21.
SkladM.DiekstraR.De RitterM.BenJ.GravesteinC. (2012). Effectiveness of school-based universal social, emotional, and behavioral programs: Do they enhance students’ development in the area of skill, behavior, and adjustment?Psychology in the Schools, 49(9), 892–910. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.21641
22.
SnyderF. J.AcockA. C.VuchinichS.BeetsM. W.WashburnI. J.FlayB. R. (2013). Preventing negative behaviors among elementary-school students through enhancing students’ social-emotional and character development. American Journal of Health Promotion, 28(1), 50–58. https://doi.org/10.4278/ajhp.120419-QUAN-207.2
23.
SnyderF. J.VuchinichS.AcockA.WashburnI.BeetsM.LiK. (2010). Impact of a social-emotional and character development program on school-level indicators of academic achievement, absenteeism, and disciplinary outcomes: A matched-pair, cluster-randomized, controlled trial. Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness, 3(1), 26–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/19345740903353436
24.
SweeneyB.CarruthersW. L. (1996). Conflict resolution: History, philosophy, theory, and educational applications. School Counselor, 43(5), 326–344.
TaylorR. D.OberleE.DurlakJ. A.WeissbergR. P. (2017). Promoting positive youth development through school-based social and emotional learning interventions: A meta-analysis of follow-up effects. Child Development, 88(4), 1156–1171. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12864
27.
Thorsen-SpanoL. (1996). A School conflict resolution program: Relationships among teacher attitude, program implementation, and job satisfaction. School Counselor, 44, 19–27.
