SEL Peer Mediation & Restorative Practices 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In restorative circles, what is the primary purpose of a 'talking piece'?
- To signal whose turn it is to speak and encourage active listening (Correct answer)
- To record the conversation for later review
- To identify who caused the harm in a conflict
- To time each participant's speaking opportunity
Correct answer: To signal whose turn it is to speak and encourage active listening
A talking piece ensures orderly, respectful dialogue by signaling the speaker and prompting others to listen deeply.
Question 2: Which of the following BEST describes the difference between peer mediation and peer arbitration?
- Mediation involves a neutral facilitator helping parties reach their own agreement; arbitration involves a third party imposing a decision (Correct answer)
- Mediation is used for serious offenses; arbitration is used for minor disputes
- Mediation requires adult supervision; arbitration is student-led
- Mediation produces a written contract; arbitration produces a verbal agreement
Correct answer: Mediation involves a neutral facilitator helping parties reach their own agreement; arbitration involves a third party imposing a decision
In mediation the disputants retain decision-making power, while in arbitration the arbiter decides the outcome.
Question 3: A student discloses during a peer mediation session that they are being physically harmed at home. What should the peer mediator do FIRST?
- End the session and immediately report the disclosure to a trusted adult or counselor (Correct answer)
- Continue the session and address the disclosure at the end
- Ask the student to keep the information private until the session is over
- Attempt to resolve the home situation as part of the mediation
Correct answer: End the session and immediately report the disclosure to a trusted adult or counselor
Mandatory reporting obligations and student safety override confidentiality in peer mediation programs.
Question 4: Which restorative question is MOST useful for helping an offending student understand the impact of their actions?
- 'Who has been affected by what you did, and how?' (Correct answer)
- 'Why did the other person make you act that way?'
- 'What punishment do you think is fair?'
- 'How can we make sure you don't get caught next time?'
Correct answer: 'Who has been affected by what you did, and how?'
Restorative questions focus on impact and accountability rather than blame or punishment.
Question 5: During a reentry circle for a student returning after suspension, which stakeholder group is MOST important to include?
- The returning student, affected peers, teachers, and support staff (Correct answer)
- Only the school principal and parents
- Only the returning student and their counselor
- Only the students who were harmed
Correct answer: The returning student, affected peers, teachers, and support staff
Reentry circles work best when all community members who will interact with the returning student participate to rebuild trust and plan support.
Question 6: What is 'affective language' in the context of restorative practices?
- Statements that express one's own feelings and emotional responses to events (Correct answer)
- Technical vocabulary used to describe psychological conditions
- Language that assigns blame to a specific person
- Formal academic language used in written agreements
Correct answer: Statements that express one's own feelings and emotional responses to events
Affective language ('I feel…') communicates personal emotional impact and is central to restorative communication.
Question 7: A peer mediator notices that one party is dominating the conversation. Which technique should the mediator use?
- Redirect by paraphrasing the dominant speaker and then explicitly inviting the other party to respond (Correct answer)
- Ask the dominant speaker to leave the room temporarily
- Side with the quieter party to rebalance power
- End the session and reschedule with an adult mediator
Correct answer: Redirect by paraphrasing the dominant speaker and then explicitly inviting the other party to respond
Paraphrasing and structured turn-taking keep sessions balanced without removing anyone or taking sides.
SEL Peer Mediation & Restorative Practices 2
In restorative circles, what is the primary purpose of a 'talking piece'?