For those who are interested in implementing a peer mediation or token economy program in their school the following websites are very useful.
The peer mediation sites take you through the steps in starting the program. Trianing for adults, then chosing and training appropriate students. Also listed are the ground rules for maintaining the program. As expected they include confidentiality, respect,active listening and reaching a solution. Benefits mentioned are for the small, non-violent or illeagal issues. They include less discipline referrals and skills students can employ out of the school setting.
The token economy sites show you need a lot of preplanning time. Poorly thought out programs have no chance of success. Steps before starting program with students include identifying the target behaviors you are looking to start or stop, deciding what to use as tokens, how much they are worth and how often they can be redeemed. Remembering to choose things that can not be duplicated. Lastly, planning is required for changing the initial program as needed to new goals or more acedemic rewards, or slowly phasing it out. One site discusses the "response cost". This is the practice of taking away tokens for misbehavior and if done can cause students to respond properly only out of fear of losing things. Although used widely in the school system, examples of how to use them in the workplace and institutional or psychiatric settings are given. There are benefits that for the most part are usually temporary and may not outweigh the problems of the high cost factor and huge time demand. With parental support the system can continue at home and include home type rewards like later bedtimes, or extra playtime.
Both programs are worth the effort if everyone involved support them. Token economies can be used on a class by class basis until middle school, but peer mediation would have to be supported school wide from administration down to the students.
I believe peer mediation is a great way to handle minor problems in a school with the right students trained to lead the way. I personally do not think there is enough time in the day to keep up with the token rewards system unless you are a super organized and consistent teacher.
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