SELect PROGRAMS
The designation indicates that a program is evidence-based; well-designed and classroom-based program that systematically promotes students’ social and emotional competence, provides opportunities for practice, and offers multiyear programming; and delivers high-quality training and other implementation supports.
This book is an approved Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program. It presents a thoroughly tested and effective approach for helping students succeed in middle school. At this critical point in their lives, young adolescents can move in a positive and hopeful direction, or they can enter into a negative, downward spiral.
SDM/SPS provides students with basic school survival skills and strategies for responsible decision making and problem solving. It is designed for use with a broad spectrum of learners, including those with emotional and behavioral disorders. Helps reduce school violence, foster social and emotional intelligence, improve academic effort and attention, develop multicultural perspectives, and prevent at-risk students from giving up. Also provides strategies for encouraging parent involvement and for implementing a school-community service project. Includes assessment tools for tracking progress.
The manual includes numerous reproducible worksheets available as a download.
Awards/Recognitions
SDM/SPS has been recognized as:
- Select Evidence-Based Social-Emotional Learning Program, CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning)
- Statewide Model Program for Substance Abuse Prevention, New Jersey State Department of Education
- Promising Program, Expert Panel, U.S. Department of Education Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools
- Exemplary Evidence-Based, School-Based Learning Program, NASP (National Association of School Psychologists)
- Model Promising Program, OJJDP (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention)
Book Review
“The authors introduce step-by-step strategies to engage students in activities that will build, as the title suggests, social problem solving skills. . . . The lessons are geared toward teaching skills for self-control, social awareness, group participation, decision-making, and problem-solving. . . . Included are specific lesson plans, replete with worksheets and recommended readings, which incorporate opportunities to increase critical thinking exercises into History, Social Studies, or English literature units. Two units on Media Literacy could easily be integrated into classroom curriculum as well. But what would likely be considered the crème-de-la-crème of this program would be the successful collaboration of home and school.”
—Carol P. Schiavo, New York School Psychologist
“Using strategies such as metacognition, practice exercises, self-talk, body awareness, and aligning these topics with academic subjects to maximize generalization, this work brings the best and latest research for teaching students how to navigate complex interpersonal and intrapersonal challenges. . . . SDM/SPS for any of the grade levels will be valuable for those making the leap to classroom guidance and want a well rounded program that addresses social, academic, and mood management skills.”
—Lynn Merlone, NH School Counselor Newsletter
Training and Workshops
In-service training, consultation, or workshops by the developers of the SDM/SPS program can be provided for your school, facility, or organization. For more information and available dates, please contact:
Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care Behavioral Research and Training Institute
151 Centennial Avenue
Suite 1140
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Phone: (732)-235-9280
E-Mail: spsweb@ubhc.rutgers.edu
Website: www.ubhc.rutgers.edu/sdm/services
