This manual 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 and numerous reproducible worksheets.