A student who faces emotional or physical violence going to and from school, walking the school hallways, eating in the cafeteria, or sitting in a classroom is not focused on learning. Instead, the student is afraid. Fear is debilitating; it preoccupies individuals by forcing them to focus on avoiding or attacking the source of fear. The media brings us too many stories of other more devastating results.

Safe environments enhance a student's ability and willingness to learn. Teaching conflict resolution skills contributes to safer learning environments. What's more, these skills help people actively and nonviolently solve problems. Students who carry these skills into adulthood are able to reduce violence in their workplaces, neighborhoods, and homes to create more civil communities. Conflict resolution education comes in many forms – it could be a skills training; it could be infused into courses such as history, political science, or literature; or it could be a part of a teacher's classroom management plan. It can be tailored to children and adults of all ages.

Conflict resolution education complements, but does not duplicate, other important school programs that address such issues as managing crises, reducing prejudice, and ending alcohol and drug abuse. It offers all students life skills that help them avoid inappropriate, unhealthy, or unsafe behaviors.

ACR, and its Education Section, is committed to creating safe schools and civil communities by making conflict resolution education universally available.