News

A Social Decision Making Lab has begun in Jersey City -
Thanks to the Help of Highland Park Public Schools

Through funding from Fleet Bank, the Network of Schools for Social Decision-Making continues to evolve. The purpose of this project is to explore the potential of technology to enhance student learning, teachers' professional development and our ability to provide ongoing follow-up and support to educators once they are trained. Another primary goal is to harvest innovations, student accommodations, and advanced level programming developed at advanced level school sites that utilize the SDM/PS model.

In keeping with this mission, twelve staff members from PS #41 in Jersey City took a trip to Bartle School in Highland Park, NJ, where the SDM/PS program has been operating for 12 years. The Jersey City educators liked what they saw and they began planning for a Problem Solving Lab of their own. At Bartle, they learned about and were inspired by the Lab that has been successfully functioning for several years. In an effort to lower out-of-school suspension rates at PS #41, one of six Jersey City pilot schools using the Social Decision Making/Problem Solving Program, the Problem Solving Lab was undertaken at PS #41. The aim of the Problem Solving Lab is to help children translate social indiscretions into learning experiences by directing students through an eight-step problem solving process which helps them learn to think independently about what they "should have or could have done." The Lab:

• Targets children who receive, or are at-risk of receiving lunch detentions;
• Reinforces SDM/PS strategies and techniques that PS #41 staff have been trained to use with students;
• Partners New Jersey City University (NJCU) psychology students with PS #41 students.

Both students and staff have expressed satisfaction with the program's approach and results. Data collected to help guide the program's development shows that 93% of students using the lab developed and practiced an action plan for improving their behavior. The two most frequent problems that caused students to be sent to the Lab included hitting another student or getting into a fight on school grounds, and disturbing a class or other people. Other infractions cited included being disrespectful or discourteous to school staff and walking out of class without permission.

This spring, four 7th graders were trained to facilitate the eight-step process with students under the supervision of a SDM/PS staff member. These student volunteers will provide support and leadership - next year - as eighth graders. Assistant Principal, Debra Adkins, highly supports the Social Decision-Making Program and the Problem Solving Lab because, as she notes, "suspension doesn't solve our children's problems." Ms. Reynolds, the school principal likes the lab because it empowers children to take responsibility and solve their own problems. Ms. Burgess, the crisis intervention teacher reported that a boy who attended the lab liked it too. He told her, "The Social Decision Making Lab is a good thing. They really make me think in there." Based upon the success of this pilot, other schools in the district are planning to pilot a lab during the 2002-03 school year.