Improving skills in mediation, negotiation and problem solving will be the focus of three daylong workshops this summer at Wayne State University.

The sessions, all to be held in the McGregor Memorial Conference Center, are aimed primarily at educators and other professionals interested in dispute resolution skills. The program on Mediation Theory and Democratic Systems in WSU's Center sponsors them for Peace and Conflict Studies.

Dates, topics, times:

June 18: "Teaching Methodologies to Reduce Youth Violence,"

9 a.m.-4 p.m.;

July 9: "Introduction to Conflict Resolution and School Mediation,"

9 a.m.-4 p.m.; and

Aug. 6: "Bringing It All Together: Improving Our Schools and Communities,"

8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Leading the June 18 workshop will be Michaelene Pepera, assistant director of the center and coordinator for the university's master's degree program in dispute resolution. This workshop will focus on integrating conflict resolution theory and processes into existing curricula. Participants will learn the importance of behavior modeling in the classroom as well as classroom management and student involvement techniques.

The instructor for the July 9 session will be Deborah Heath, director of the Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution in Education. She will provide insights into the causes of conflict, competition vs. cooperation, cross-cultural issues and peer mediation techniques.

Instructors for the Aug. 6 workshop will be Terri Langton and Joyce Krueger. Langton is a health educator and coordinator for drug and violence prevention programs in the Monroe County Intermediate School District. Krueger is project director for conflict resolution in the Monroe Public Schools.

They will lead discussion and training in approaches to violence prevention and conflict resolution. Issues such as school-business partnerships, adult role modeling, substance abuse and community-school relationships will be examined.

The registration fee for each workshop is $95. For more information and reservations call (313) 577-5313.