Conflict Resolution Exercise using Diagram

The XYZ School has a problem. Because of an increasing trend in violence in high schools and middle schools, the district with The Board of Education approval, has instituted a stringent disciplinary policy. It is an automatic expulsion offence if a student brings drugs or weapons to school (or in the school bus). Students can also be expelled for fighting or assault on other students or teachers. Communicating threats, disrespect or intimidation to teachers and administrators are grounds on suspension on first offence and expulsion for a second offense.

After six months the results seem to be mixed. Most parents support the tighter discipline policy. Although incidents have decreased to some extent it has not gone away completely. Moreover, a new problem faces the school district. A vocal group of parents and activists have been protesting expulsions and suspensions at Board of Education meetings. They charge the district with racial and ethnic discrimination, because a disproportionate number of students expelled or suspended are from ethnic or racial minorities.

The district denies the discrimination charge saying that the students expelled or suspended are the ones causing trouble, regardless of their race or ethnicity. The Board has emphasized its commitment to a safe, secure school environment for all students. They refuse to allow a few disruptive and violent students to compromise the learning environment for the majority of good kids.

The protesters counter that the students expelled are the very ones most in need of schooling, because they are the ones at most risk of dropping out societys mainstream and into a life of crime, poverty or homelessness. They criticize the district for not doing enough to save the at risk youth aggravating the problem through expulsion and creating more of a burden to society.

Things have come to a head. The activists organized a walkout of 300 students from two of the districts four high schools. Along with about 150 parents they marched two miles through the citys streets to the school district offices, where they picketed for four hours. Besides the high visibility and adverse publicity associated with the walkout the district has suffered financially. The state provides funds to local school districts based on percentage of registered attendance and withholds a fixed amount when a student is absent. Everyday a student is absent from school the district loses money. The protesters have promised many more walk-outs unless the school district agrees to negotiate on their demand.

Your Assignment: Consider that you are appointed an arbitrator called in to resolve the conflict.

1. What are the conflicting positions?
2. What are the requirements the positions of each side are intended to satisfy?
3. What is the common objective of both parties?
4. Construct a Conflict resolution diagram to describe the core conflict.
5. Identify as many underlying assumptions as you can for each arrow of the CRD.
6. Develop as many injections as you can to break the conflict.
7. Select one or more injections based on a decision rule of your choice (easiest to use, least expensive, most effective and so forth.