Responsible decision-making is one of the five components that make up CASEL’s model of SEL. It means the ability to make caring and constructive choices about how to behave, based on consideration of ethical standards (i.e., “benefits and consequences for personal, social, and collective well-being”) as well as relevant social norms and safety concerns.

Here, we use the term ethical decision-making and responsibility for this component in order to emphasize the ethical dimensions of what it means to make decisions that are both personally and socially responsible. From small, everyday choices to larger and more consequential ones, students face a myriad of decisions with ethical implications. How do they decide to do the right thing, or even what “the right thing” is?

Skills involved in ethical decision-making and responsibility include:

• Demonstrating curiosity and open-mindedness
• Learning how to make a reasoned judgment after analyzing information, data, and facts
• Making ethical decisions based upon mutual respect and appropriate culturally-relevant social norms
• Recognizing one’s responsibility to behave ethically
• Identifying solutions for personal and social problems
• Anticipating and evaluating the consequences of one’s actions
• Recognizing how critical thinking skills are used both inside and outside of school
• Reflecting on one’s role to promote personal, family, and community well-being
• Evaluating personal, interpersonal, community, and institutional impacts