Exploring Decision-Making through Media Literacy
Supporting students to become better decision makers.
About the Incubator
Middle school is a time of tremendous growth and transformation. Students explore their identities and values, develop increased independence and responsibility, and begin to navigate complex social issues. As these changes are happening, students are inundated with information, ads, and social media designed to influence their thinking.
Decision Education helps students develop several real-world skills emphasized in media literacy. These include evaluating information and sources, considering multiple perspectives, and recognizing cognitive biases such as confirmation bias. Both fields empower students to think critically about information, and Decision Education teaches students the applied skills and dispositions to make better decisions.
Learn how schools are implementing Decision Education to empower their students with critical media literacy skills.
Our Incubator Schools
Hubble Middle School
Warrenville, IL
Project Overview
This 9-week, project-based course immerses middle school students in the world of news literacy as they take on the role of investigative journalists. Grounded in a simulated digital newsroom, students navigate real-world challenges such as evaluating information, identifying bias, clarifying values, and communicating clearly through a student-produced newscast. The course integrates Decision Education throughout, helping students strengthen judgment, recognize cognitive biases, and apply structured decision-making to authentic media tasks. Designed for flexibility and scalability, this course supports both content mastery and student voice while building critical media literacy and 21st century skills.
School Description
- School Type: Public/37.9% Free or Reduced Lunch
- 2025 School Demographics:
- 55.8% White
- 31% Hispanic/Latino
- 5.1% Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander
- 4.4% Two or more races
- 3.7% Black or African American
- # of students impacted: ~230 students
DreamHouse ‘Ewa Beach Public Charter School
Kapolei, HI
Project Overview
Through flexible lessons designed for advisory or enrichment periods, the DreamHouse model teaches students essential skills for engaging in digital spaces. Beyond the classroom, the model includes family engagement resources that help schools communicate key concepts to families. This ensures that students receive consistent support for healthy digital decision-making both at home and at school.
School Description
- School Type: Public Charter/72% Free or Reduced Lunch
- 2025 School Demographics:
- 29.6% Hispanic/Latino
- 28.6% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
- 19.2% Two or more races
- 14.3% Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander
- 8% White
- 0.3% Black or African American
- # of students impacted: ~100 students
China Grove Middle School
China Grove, NC
Project Overview
China Grove piloted the implementation of Decision Education through two 7th grade courses: social studies and an elective called TimeQuest PBL, where students learned about media literacy and decision making skills by exploring historical events through project based learning.
School Description
- School Type: Public/Title 1/43% Free or Reduced Lunch
- 2025 School Demographics:
- 74.6% White
- 17.1% Hispanic/Latino
- 3.7% Two or more races
- 2.9% Black or African American
- 1.7% Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander
- # of students impacted: ~400 students
Friends School of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD
Project Overview
The Friends School of Baltimore aligned Decision Education to key content in 6th through 8th grade English classes. Focusing on self-awareness and self-direction, they integrated essential decision-making skills and concepts like habit loops, cognitive biases, critical reasoning, and structuring decisions through traditional ELA content such as novel studies, as well as modern media literacy content, including sourcing information and understanding your digital footprint.
School Description
- School Type: Independent/Quaker
- 2025 School Demographics:
- 59.5% White
- 17.3% African American
- 11.7% Multiracial
- 3.7% Unknown
- 3.5% Hispanic
- 3.3% Asian
- 0.4% International
- 0.4% Native American
- 0.3% Pacific Islander
- # of students impacted: ~40 students
Decision Education and Media Literacy in Action
Decision Education aligns with media literacy as both aim to enhance critical thinking by teaching students to evaluate information, consider multiple perspectives, recognize cognitive biases, and apply real-world decision-making skills.
We created this handy guide of lesson plans our educators created and resources from our trusted partners. Get started implementing Decision Education with Media Literacy today!
The National Association for Media Literacy Education unites a community of educators committed to advancing media literacy education. Their “Meet the Media Monsters” webpage breaks down examples of media distortion for students.
