Competing and alternative courses of action are presented. On the basis of these activities the students rank and prioritize the possible positions in terms of the values they are trying to realize. Students decide through defending and challenging in their discussion whether or not to accept, reject, or modify the proposed solutions to resolve the issue. If the class as a whole accepts a position, the decision may be made to implement it. The teacher is to help and encourage students in finding ways to implement desired action.
Students have the option to take part in any action. .
The teacher wanted the students to recognize some issues that concerned them and their parents. The issue to be considered using the Decision-Making Model was the public debate regarding one's rights when religious beliefs are being violated by a traditional public school practice. The teacher introduced the unit by telling the class that they were about to study an important issue concerning religious beliefs that might be in conflict with an everyday school activity that almost all students participate in. She explained that the class would study this issue in small groups, each group trying to find a solution to the dilemma. She gave further instructions on how she would interact with each group, encouraging participation, asking questions to probe and clarify their ideas.