Teaching CTE Honors Courses Buncombe County

News Flash All CTE Courses can now be offered as an Honors Course!

However.... After the CTE Director’s Approval You must submit An “Honors Course Teaching Preparation Portfolio”

CTE Honors Courses Must be aligned with the current: NC Career &Technical Education Essential Standards & Honors Course Implementation Guide

Must be... – More challenging – Providing multiple opportunities for students to take greater responsibility for their learning – Distinguished by a difference in the quality of the work rather than quantity

Purpose To offer challenging, higher level courses for students who aspire to an advanced level of learning To promote: – Opportunities for advanced work – Rigorous study of CTE content areas – Practical application of knowledge & skills – Transfer of knowledge & skills to work-based situations

Characteristics Follow the same course of study – Content outline – Blueprint – Curriculum guide Require a higher level of cognition & quality of work Enable students to become actively involved in classroom experiences Involve students in exploratory, experimental, & open-ended learning experiences

Should Provide... Problem-seeking & problem-solving skills Participation in scholarly & creative processes Use of imagination Critical analysis & application Personalized learning experiences Learning to express/defend ideas Learning to accept constructive criticism Becoming a reflective thinker

CTE Honors Teaching Portfolio Must clearly & concisely include: – General course information – Course description from CTE Essential Standards – Competency goals, & objectives from course blueprint – Concepts from course outline – Generalizations – Essential questions – Issues particular to course – Expectations of performance – Assignments – Timetables & deadlines – Pacing Guide – Assessments, including rubrics – A system for grading – Instructional materials, equipment & technologies

Generalizations? Generalizations are general statements or ideas concerning an area of study Generalizing is a sophisticated skill as it relates to organizing ideas. Can involve constructing & defending conclusions based on the understanding of two or more persons

Essential Questions? Essential questions are interrogative statements designed to focus on main ideas Used to prompt thinking & spark discussion of key elements within a larger context Reflect most historically important issues, problems, & debates Designed to be thought-provoking to students

Issues in Course Because of the diverse nature of course content, many courses have issues or features that are unique to the honors course. Examples: Specific equipment/software Facilities Transportation Certification/credentialing tests

Expectations of Performance Performance requirements require a higher level of rigor as based on honors course “Preparation Portfolio”

Assignments Likely to be long-term project- or problem- based assignments Should offer students elements of choice Should reflect student’s career interests

Assessments Elements Involving multiple & varied means Include both cognitive & performance-based tasks Develop & provide relative rubrics

Resource Documents Helpful resource documents for developing a CTE Honors Course are located on the: “J” Drive in the “CTE Honors Course Info” folder (Buncombe County) WNC Honors Moodle Flash drive—copy of “CTE Honors Course Info” folder

Are measured By Quality NOT Quantity CTE Honors Courses