Communication
Communication is the process of creating and sharing meaning through human interaction. An effective communicator will be able to:

• Speak, read, write and listen effectually.
• Understand and communicate to diverse audiences and their contexts.
• Use appropriate language, nonverbal and visual symbols.
• Strategically organize ideas and information.
• Design, revise and produce work tailored to diverse audiences.

Valuing
Valuing is the capability to articulate and support one's own values through self-knowledge and reflective practice. Valuing includes the ability to:

• Understand how actions are shaped by values.
• Recognize the moral dimensions of decisions and accept responsibility for the consequences.
• Understand and appreciate that there are multiple value systems and analyze the underlying beliefs that inform them.

Aesthetic Awareness
Aesthetic awareness expands an individual's concept of art beyond the museum to include music, poetry, literature and dance, as well as elements of design in culture and nature. An aesthetically aware person can:

• Understand the historical, social, political, environmental or gendered contexts of specific works of art.
• Recognize the transformative nature of art, which can effect societal change. à Develop criteria to support intellectual and emotional responses to natural and created works.
• Appreciate the complex processes of artistic creation.

Global Understanding
Global Understanding is the respect for and appreciation of the interconnections among systems on the planet. Global understanding includes the ability to:

• Respect different perspectives and ways of knowing that are based on cultural, ethnic, religions, and geographical differences.
• Comprehend the way in which technology has treated a small world, politically, socially, economically, and culturally.
• Appreciate the interconnectedness of the local and global communities.
• Understand various life forms and the environment.

Effective Citizenship
Effective citizenship means the development of an informed understanding of communities and the roles and responsibilities of individuals within those communities. An effective citizen will:

• Develop the ability to examine contemporary issues and their historical contexts.
• Recognize the value of multiple perspectives in civic life.
• Make informed choices regarding personal community involvement, social justice issues and leadership roles.
• Make an effort to be informed and educated on issues affecting their communities.

Information Technology
In the information technology competency students will understand, know how to use, and make choices regarding new and existing information and information technology. Because the use of information, computer, and Internet is throughout professional and civic life, competence in information technology and literacy is essential to success. A student skilled in the use of information technology will be able to:

• Choose technology appropriate to an activity.
• Master the use of common computer and internet technology
• Confidently and independently learn new technologies à Locate, evaluate, and use information.
• Understand the ethical policy and accessibility issues associated with information technology.

Group Interaction
Group interaction means collaborating effectively with others. Groups are often able to achieve more than individuals in time, expertise, and learning. Effective group interaction means that students should be able to:

• Create shared understanding and expectations.
• Understand and choose roles and tasks.
• Make decisions and track progress collaboratively.
• Negotiate written consensus, compromise and conflict.

Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and critically, using reason and experience to form considered judgments. Someone who is a good critical thinker will be able to:

• Distinguish between facts, opinions and inferences.
• Analyze and summarize arguments
• Synthesize ideas from multiple sources.
• Find connections between a range of ideas, facts and experience.

Strategic Problem Solving
Strategic problem solving is the ability to form a plan for effective problem solving. A student who excels in this competency will be able to:

• Recognize multiple ways to solve problems.
• Learn how to define problems and the situations that lead to them.
• Formulate strategies tailored to different situations.
• Implement plans, display flexibility and evaluate effective strategies.