1.    The student uses listening and observing skills to gain understanding.

Component 1:1
Focuses attention.

1. Gives evidence of paying attention such as nodding, maintaining eye contact, taking notes, and asking relevant questions.
2. Pays attention and responds appropriately in particular contexts such as social interactions, and receiving information.

Component 1:2
Listens and observes to gain and interpret information.

1. Identifies the relationship between verbal and non-verbal communication.
2. Identifies visual information and/or people's behaviors.
3. Interprets and discusses relationships among ideas, information, and events in visual texts such as illustrations, art, dance, graphs, and diagrams.
4. Listens for, identifies, and explains:  important as well as extraneous details, relationships in stories and poems, pitch, intensity, and intonation.
5. Demonstrates listening strategies for gaining information.

Component 1:3
Checks for understanding by asking questions and paraphrasing.

1. Asks questions to clarify content and meaning in a variety of contexts and situations.
2. Paraphrases conversations and information.
3. Asks questions to verify judgments and inferences.
4. Constructs hypotheses.

2.    The student communicates ideas clearly and effectively.

Component 2:1
Communicates clearly to a range of audiences for different purposes.

1. Communicates with an expanding range of audiences such as community members and voice mail.
2. Determines needs of an audience and make limited adjustments in content and technique.
3. Communicates for a range of purposes, for example, to inform, explain, persuade, or entertain.
4. Communicates using different forms of oral presentation such as reports or drama.

Component 2:2
Develops content and ideas.

1. Chooses content appropriate to own purposes and interests and needs of an audience.
2. Selects and documents relevant material from a variety of sources.
3. Organizes information with a clear sequencing of ideas and transitions.
4. Develops a rational argument.

Component 2:3
Uses effective delivery.

1. Speaks at a volume and paces appropriate to the situation.
2. Projects voice well.
3. Appeals to the interests of the audience.
4. Uses good posture and eye contact.
5. Uses facial expression and body language to heighten and emphasize message.

Component 2:4
Uses effective language and style.

1. Speaks using standard grammar.
2. Uses complex sentences.
3. Uses a range of vocabulary related to a particular topic.
4. Uses language well-suited to the chosen audience.

Component 2:5
Effectively uses action, sound, and/or images to support presentations.

1. Uses a variety of media to illustrate and support ideas.
2. Uses available technology as a presentation tool.

3.    The student uses communication strategies and skills to work effectively with others.

Component 3:1
Uses language to interact effectively and responsibly with others.

1. Uses language to interact with others, for example, to greet people, compliment, give encouragement, or express feelings.
2. Responds to different types of speech and audiences.
3. Uses language that is free from stereotyping, bias, libel, slander, or harassment.
4. Identifies cultural assumptions and perspectives.

Component 3:2
Works cooperatively as a member of a group.

1. Assumes roles or tasks within a group to perform a task.
2. Contributes to group with suggestions, research, and effort.
3. Demonstrates respect for others' opinions by allowing time for responses.

Component 3:3
Seeks agreement and solution through discussion.

1. Acknowledges others' ideas and points of view; identifies similarities and differences.
2. Checks for understanding in group interactions.
3. Contributes responsibly to group efforts.
4. Chooses a position and develops a plan of action.
5. Defines challenges and encourages others to action.

4.    The student analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of formal and informal communication.

Component 4:1
Assesses strengths and needs for improvement.

1. Establishes and applies criteria for evaluating one's own and others' presentations.
2. Knows the qualities that make a presentation effective.
3. Evaluates excellent presentations to improve own work.

Component 4:2
Seeks and offers feedback.

1. With guidance, offers feedback on other's presentations with regard to content and organization.
2. Accepts feedback when appropriate and revises own presentation.

Component 4:3
Analyzes mass communication.

1. Identifies and evaluates techniques used in mass communication such as name calling, celebrity appeal, and identification with audience.
2. Identifies and explains the uses and impact of fact, opinion, and bias in mass communication.
3. Identifies the accuracy, point of view, and assumptions of media.

Component 4:4
Analyzes how communication is used in career settings.

1. Identifies different communication techniques used in a variety of career settings such as to persuade, inform, or instruct.