Teaching CTE Honors Courses

							  Teaching CTE Honors Courses




Buncombe County
2011-1012
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     –   Expectations of
                                       performance
–   Course description from CTE
    Essential Standards            –   Assignments
–   Competency goals, &            –   Timetables & deadlines
    objectives from course         –   Pacing Guide
    blueprint                      –   Assessments, including
–   Concepts from course outline       rubrics
–   Generalizations                –   A system for grading
–   Essential questions            –   Instructional materials,
–   Issues particular to course        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
 CTE Honors Courses


   Are measured
        By
Quality NOT Quantity