Each skill standards section in the printed document includes:

• Career cluster description with sample titles
• Career cluster overview listing functions and tasks
• Complete career cluster skill standards charts containing the following components:

Function

Functions represent the general areas of responsibility within a career cluster. The functions tell us what must be done to achieve the key purpose of an occupation.

Task

Tasks are duties related to the functional area of the career cluster. Tasks are a listing of the key activities performed by workers in a given occupation. The question was asked, "What are the key activities needed to perform each function?"

A task is made up of measurable and observable work activities which end in a product, service, or decision. It has a definite beginning and end.

Performance Criteria for each task

Performance Criteria are specific behavioral evidence of a worker's achievement of skills, knowledge, and tasks. The functions and tasks begin to reflect a picture of work requirements in each occupation, but that is not enough. To create standards, it must be described as "competent performance." The question that needs to be answered is: "How do we know when this task is performed well?"

Technical Skills, Knowledge, Abilities, and Tools Achievement of technical knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and use of tools are required by workers in order to perform a given occupational task ensuring worker success in the workplace.

Foundation Skills and Personal Qualities

Foundation Skills are basic academic and employability skills that are needed to build more advanced competencies. Foundation Skills are competencies required by workers in order to obtain meaningful work and participate in the modern workforce. They fall into the following categories: Skills workers need (Basic skills--reading, writing, arithmetic, etc.; Thinking skills; Personal qualities) and What effective workers can productively use (Resources,Interpersonal Skills, Information, Systems, Technology).