Standard 3a—Universal Foundation Skills

Students will demonstrate mastery of the foundation skills and competencies essential for success in the workplace.

Key ideas are identified by numbers (1).
Performance indicators are identified by bullets.
Sample tasks are identified by triangles (
s).

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Elementary Basic Skills

1. Basic skills include the ability to read, write, listen, and speak as well as perform arithmetical and mathematical functions.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s listen to and repeat simple directions
s read a variety of materials and prepare a report
s follow directions to power up a computer
s compile an inventory of office equipment
s use probability to solve a problem or use a single statistic to make a prediction
s measure an area for a swimming pool, basketball court, or employee work station.

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Elementary Thinking Skills

2. Thinking skills lead to problem solving, experimenting, and focused observation and allow the application of knowledge to new and unfamiliar situations.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s provide examples of ways to raise money for a school field trip
s solve a riddle, puzzle, or problem, using written or oral instructions
s set up a computer, a monitor, and a keyboard according to written or oral instructions.

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Elementary Personal Qualities

3. Personal qualities generally include competence in self-management and the ability to plan, organize, and take independent action.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s arrive at school and complete assignments on time; explain why these behaviors would be important to an employer
s provide examples of people acting responsibly/irresponsibly in the community
s complete an inventory of personal strengths and select areas in which they would like to improve
s demonstrate positive behaviors through interactions in the classroom (e.g., sharing resources, helping classmates).

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Elementary Interpersonal Skills

4. Positive interpersonal qualities lead to teamwork and cooperation in large and small groups in family, social, and work situations.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s work cooperatively with peers to accomplish a task
s describe, as models, successful people of varied backgrounds
s display skills needed to resolve conflicts with other people
s explain the importance of getting along with people in a work environment who are different from oneself.

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Elementary Technology

5. Technology is the process and product of human skill and ingenuity in designing and creating things from available resources to satisfy personal and societal needs and wants.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s select the appropriate technology for designing and creating a flyer for a school-sponsored event
s identify examples of technology found at home, at school, and in a business environment
s choose a career area and research how technology has changed that cluster of occupations.

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Elementary Managing Information

6. Information management focuses on the ability to access and use information obtained from other people, community resources, and computer networks.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s explain the practical uses of weather forecasting data as it relates to the farm industry
s plan a school store and determine what items might sell best
s listen to a presentation about a career area and write a report summarizing the information.

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Elementary Managing Resources

7. Using resources includes the application of financial and human factors, and the elements of time and materials to successfully carry out a planned activity.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s describe the resources needed to inventory the art supply cabinet in the classroom
s explain the resources needed to build a simple item (e.g., footstool, sandbox).

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Elementary Systems

8. Systems skills include the understanding of and ability to work within natural and constructed systems.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s understand the process used to order supplies for a school store or local business
s explain the various components of the school system.

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Intermediate Basic Skills

1. Basic skills include the ability to read, write, listen, and speak as well as perform arithmetical and mathematical functions.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s follow directions that involve a series of actions
s locate and use information on a wide range of topics from many different sources
s present an oral report to the class after investigating several career clusters
s record data and prepare a graph on the movement of the stock market or a particular stock
s explore ways in which geometry is used in everyday life
s solve basic problems involving integers, fractions, and decimals.

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Intermediate Thinking Skills

2. Thinking skills lead to problem solving, experimenting, and focused observation and allow the application of knowledge to new and unfamiliar situations.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s describe the best method to evaluate customer interest in the establishment of a new product line for a business
s describe the best method to evaluate student interest in the establishment of a new school sport or club
s create a work schedule to ensure equity in employee hours and days worked
s sequence facts in a logical order to solve a problem.

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Intermediate Personal Qualities

3. Personal qualities generally include competence in self-management and the ability to plan, organize, and take independent action.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s participate in a fund-raising activity in or out of school such as car wash, flower sale, etc. (refer to Regents Rule 19.6 governing student fund-raising)
s volunteer to participate in a local charitable organization’s activities
s work with other students on a group project to improve one aspect of the school’s operation.

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Intermediate Interpersonal Skills

4. Positive interpersonal qualities lead to teamwork and cooperation in large and small groups in family, social, and work situations.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s react positively to constructive criticism
s work as a member of a team toward a common goal.

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Intermediate Technology

5. Technology is the process and product of human skill and ingenuity in designing and creating things from available resources to satisfy personal and societal needs and wants.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s use a telecommunications service to check current airline schedules and price information for a trip to another state or country
s use appropriate technology to present information in table/chart form
s use word processing software to make an inquiry to a business
s make a presentation explaining how technology has changed the work site.

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Intermediate Managing Information

6. Information management focuses on the ability to access and use information obtained from other people, community resources, and computer networks.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s prepare a financial report showing the annual revenue and expenses of a business or club for three years and presenting that information to a group
s design a chart or graph to evaluate personal progress toward a goal or objective
s collect the necessary data from local employers to develop a speakers’ bureau for their school
s given directions, correctly complete a job application.

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Intermediate Managing Resources

7. Using resources includes the application of financial and human factors, and the elements of time and materials to successfully carry out a planned activity.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s develop a plan for a work experience (e.g., lawn mowing, snow removal, paper route) by formulating a budget, allocating equipment, and recording expenses and income
s create and follow a personal schedule to maximize the use of time.

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Intermediate Systems

8. Systems skills include the understanding of and ability to work within natural and constructed systems.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s survey teachers to develop modifications in the school’s discipline policy
s observe how customer returns have been handled in a store over a period of time and develop strategies to improve the system
s describe the functioning of a simple ecosystem.

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Commencement Basic Skills

1. Basic skills include the ability to read, write, listen, and speak as well as perform arithmetical and mathematical functions.

Students:

use a combination of techniques to read or listen to complex information and analyze what they hear or read; convey information confidently and coherently in written or oral form; and analyze and solve mathematical problems requiring use of multiple computational skills.

This is evident, for example, when students:
s gather and use information presented in print and electronic sources to create a research report and database
s examine a case study to evaluate whether the information contained within it is adequate to support generalizations about the topic
s participate in debates, interviews, and panel discussions
s use word processing and desktop publishing software to present information on a sales campaign
s analyze a company’s balance sheet and income statement for industry-recognized ratios for assets, liabilities, and net income/loss
s order and price inventory appropriately as part of a work experience program.

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Commencement Thinking Skills

2. Thinking skills lead to problem solving, experimenting, and focused observation and allow the application of knowledge to new and unfamiliar situations.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s provide examples of ways to alter a work schedule to allow for more job sharing among two or more employees
s evaluate a variety of options suggested, select an option, explain the reason for the selection, and provide the strategies for implementation
s recognize a problem and design steps to solve the problem
s prepare and present a report on how knowledge gained from one content area helped solve a problem in another area.

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Commencement Personal Qualities

3. Personal qualities generally include competence in self-management and the ability to plan, organize, and take independent action.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s work with a local employer to establish a sales goal and devise a plan to reach that goal
s motivate other group members and demonstrate leadership skills in a student leadership organization or job experience
s give and accept constructive criticism in a group project
s evaluate decisions for legal and ethical implications
s establish a set of personal goals and record progress in attaining them.

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Commencement Interpersonal Skills

4. Positive interpersonal qualities lead to teamwork and cooperation in large and small groups in family, social, and work situations.

Students:

communicate effectively and help others to learn a new skill.

This is evident, for example, when students:
s demonstrate how to respond effectively to a dissatisfied customer
s assist in the teaching of an acquired skill in an elementary/middle school class or business environment
s provide feedback to others in a group project
s participate in a job interview.

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Commencement Technology

5. Technology is the process and product of human skill and ingenuity in designing and creating things from available resources to satisfy personal and societal needs and wants.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s evaluate why a school or business facsimile (fax) machine is not working
s take the proper steps to make an inoperative printer work
s use a software program to compile and analyze statistical data and prepare a presentation for a group
s use an integrated software program to solve a business-related problem
s prepare a report predicting how technology may change various aspects of life 50 years from now.

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Commencement Managing Information

6. Information management focuses on the ability to access and use information obtained from other people, community resources, and computer networks.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s construct a computer-generated form to survey local employers for possible participation in a work-study program
s use graphics software to present survey findings to the student body
s use telecommunications software to access and communicate information
s use presentation graphics software which will illustrate to a group of employers the increase in work-based learning experiences
s use a computer to record and organize statistical information to assist a coach of a school athletic team.

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Commencement Managing Resources

7. Using resources includes the application of financial and human factors, and the elements of time and materials to successfully carry out a planned activity.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s plan a two-week activity that requires tasks to be divided among students or coworkers, including determining priorities and following timelines
s prepare a long-range budget for a school organization or hypothetical business
s complete multiple tasks for concurrent activities by adjusting personal schedules or negotiating deadlines
s work as a team to decide how resources should be allocated to accomplish a task.

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Commencement Systems

8. Systems skills include the understanding of and ability to work within natural and constructed systems.

Students:

This is evident, for example, when students:
s evaluate the roles or positions within an organization and make suggestions for improvement of the organization
s write a proposal for ways a company can reduce expenses
s prepare an organizational chart for a club or business
s develop a presentation using visual aids to explain how an automobile or other machine operates.

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