College of Education Sponsors Summer Academy

About 120 area middle schoolers are participating in a summer academy aimed at developing better conflict resolution skills. The program, sponsored by ASU’s College of Education, was developed in conjunction with the Richmond County School System.

The four-week program geared in helping middle schoolers deal with conflict in four main themes: how the media portrays conflict, criminal justice, human rights (including child labor), and cultural diversity. Each theme includes hands-on activities.

The program took two years to develop and teachers are looking to expand it to more area students and school districts. According to Dr. Holly Thorton, assistant professor of teacher development, “the results have been documented; this is a research project about what can be improved for our children.”