Where Does Decision Education Fit? (Spoiler Alert: More Places Than You Think)

"Where would this content fit into our school?"

It’s the question we hear all the time.

With tight budgets, limited seat time, and increasing state requirements, administrators, teachers, and counselors consistently tell us the same thing: We love this content. Our students need these skills. But where does it fit?

After twenty-five years of partnering with schools, we have clear, practical answers.

• Strong Start Summer Program: For over fifteen years StrongStart has been helping ninth graders start high school on the right foot. The week-long, full day summer program introduces students to decision skills and prepares them to be successful in high school.
• Advisory/Homeroom Classes: DEF curriculum is available in thirty minute, easy to teach and easy to digest, lessons. They work beautifully in short class periods — even when classes don’t meet daily. Students build essential life skills such as self-management, emotional regulation, and critical thinking — skills that strengthen both academic performance and personal well-being.
• 9th Grade Success Classes: High school success starts with decision-making. That’s why DEF’s Steps to Success — a semester-long decision education course — is an ideal foundation for ninth graders. When students learn how to make thoughtful, informed decisions early, they’re better equipped to navigate academics, relationships, extracurriculars, and long-term goals throughout high school.
• Health Classes: Standard five of the National Health Education Standards is: 'Students demonstrate effective decision-making skills to enhance health.' Our Healthy Lifestyle Choices curriculum brings that standard to life. Students don’t just talk about healthy decisions — they practice structured decision-making as they work through core health topics, strengthening both content knowledge and real-world application.
• College/Career Classes and Workshops: Preparing students for life after high school is one of the most important responsibilities educators carry. DEF’s Decision Academy website and related lesson plans and workshops equip students with the confidence and decision-making tools they need to approach post-secondary education, careers, and life transitions thoughtfully and strategically.
• Online Course Options: Decision Skills 101 and Positive Pathways are decision making courses offered completely online. These are great options for students in remedial or alternative situations.

Don't see a great fit for your school above? Don't worry, we are all about Creative Alternatives! We love working directly with schools to thoughtfully design curriculum with you — in a way that fits your schedule, your staff, and your students.

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