"Peer mediation has repeatedly proven itself by reducing violence in schools. Teachers and administrators experience up to a 97% reduction in disciplinary incidences as students take responsibility for their own conflicts and arrive at agreements the majority of which are upheld months later." (Cynthia O. Thomas, University of Wisconsin Stout)

The school-to-prison pipeline is a discriminatory system fueled by expelling and suspending students on minor infractions in the name of "zero-tolerance." In the 2017-18 school year, despite only 15% of students being black, 30% of all expulsions and suspensions were black students (USA Facts). Despite data showing that students who face these punishments are more likely to drop out later in their school and end up incarcerated in their adulthood, we have not developed a different approach to how we intervene with these students. 

Peer mediation is a resource which has students serve as mediators in disputes between fellow students, having them talk out their issues rather than immediately taking a jump to disciplinary actions. It teaches students the value of collaboration and tactical problem-solving and gives them resources that can prevent them from furthering issues with their peers. And while we see a push towards negative outcomes for students who face expulsions and suspensions, students who have been peer mentored are much more likely to have their issues resolved and not repeated. Currently, peer mediation has been implemented in many systems across Massachusetts, including Woburn Public Schools, which I was once a student in. Through how well they screened their mediator applicants and the extensive training they received, we had a system that worked and benefitted the student body when interpersonal issues arose. 

The success of students should be of the utmost importance, and by allowing systems to stay in place that perpetuate negative outcomes we are disregarding that goal entirely. Bringing peer mediation into Massachusetts classrooms is a small, but effective step in the direction of dismantling the cycles in our society that hinder the success of students later in life. Patrick Tutwiler, given the information presented, I hope you will considering going through the steps to ensure that the Massachusetts Education System wants prioritizes the future of it's students.