Social Decision Making/Social Problem Solving is a school-based training program that aims to promote healthy behavior and life decisions by improving social competence and emotional intelligence. The program provides students with skills to think clearly under stress, particularly in emotionally and socially complex situations. To accomplish this, SDM/SPS uses a variety of real-life and academic applications to promote internalization, transfer, and generalization of skills to situations involving tobacco, substance abuse, pregnancy, and violence. The program is organized around four competency areas: 1) self-control skills; 2) cooperative skills for working within a group; 3) problem solving and decision-making skills; and 4) skills application. In addition to the curriculum -- which may be integrated into a range of academic subjects -- the program also addresses teacher behavior, coordinated support systems, and parent involvement. SDM/SPS has been highlighted by the National Association of School Psychologists as a promising/exemplary program. It has also been designated by the U.S. Department of Education’s Safe, Disciplined, and Drug-Free Schools Expert Panel as a “Promising Program” for 2001.

Target Population

- Grade Level: from  Third grade to  Eighth grade