List of Benchmarks for Thinking and Reasoning |
| Standard 6. | Applies decision-making techniques |
| | Level I (Grades K-2) |
| | 1. | Makes and defends decisions about daily activities (e.g., what books to read) |
| | Level II (Grades 3-5) |
| | 1. | Studies past and present decisions that were made in the community in terms of the alternatives that were considered |
| | Level III (Grades 6-8) |
| | 1. | Identifies situations in the community and in one’s personal life in which a decision is required |
| | 2. | Secures factual information needed to evaluate alternatives and uses it to predict the consequences of selecting each alternative |
| | 3. | Identifies the values underlying the alternatives that are considered and the criteria that will be used to make a selection among the alternatives |
| | 4. | Makes decisions based on the data obtained and the criteria identified (e.g., selects appropriate locations for service industries in the community) |
| | 5. | Takes action to implement a decision, monitors progress, and adjusts when needed |
| | 6. | Makes effective decisions about consumer products based on important criteria, including external features, performance, durability, cost, and personal tradeoffs |
| | 7. | Analyzes personal decisions in terms of the options that were considered |
| | 8. | Uses a decision-making grid or matrix to make or study decisions involving a relatively limited number of alternatives and criteria |
| | Level IV (Grades 9-12) |
| | 1. | Analyzes decisions that were major turning points in history and describes how things would have been different if other alternatives had been selected |
| | 2. | Analyzes current or pending decisions that can affect national or international policy and identifies the consequences of each alternative |
| | 3. | Uses a decision-making grid or matrix to make or study decisions involving a relatively large number of alternatives and criteria |
| | 4. | Uses a balance sheet to evaluate the costs and benefits of various alternatives within a decision |
| | 5. | Evaluates major factors (e.g., personal priorities, environmental conditions, peer groups) that influence personal decisions |
| | 6. | Analyzes the impact of decisions on self and others and takes responsibility for consequences and outcomes of decisions |
