Honors Matrix Training Thomasena Stuckett, SCS Honors Analyst

2013

Agenda

• State and District Policy Overview

• Framework of Standards

• Honors Matrix

• Strategies

• Questions

Honors Courses

State and District Policy

Honors Course Expectation

• Substantially exceed the content standards, learning expectations and performance indicators approved by the TDOE

• Teachers to model instructional approaches that facilitate maximum change of ideas– Independent Study– Self-directed Research– Appropriate use of technology

Honors Course Expectation

• Must include multiple assessments– Short Answer– Constructed-response prompts– Performance-based tasks– Open-ended questions– Essays– Original or creative interpretations– Authentic products– Portfolios– Analytical writing

Honors Course Expectation

• The emphasis is placed on:– Academic rigor– Teacher as the facilitator, student as the

thinker and problem solver– The three highest levels of Bloom’s – Purposeful writing – Purposeful research – Critical analysis– Inquiry-based learning

Honors Courses

Framework of Standards

Framework Components

• An Honors Course shall include five of the following components:– Extended reading assignments that

connect with the curriculum.

– Research-based writing assignments that address and extend the curriculum.

– Projects that apply course curriculum to relevant and real world situations.

Framework Components

• An Honors Course shall include five of the following components:– Open ended investigations in which the

student selects the questions and designs the research.

–Writing assignments that demonstrate a variety of modes, purposes and styles.

– Integration of appropriate technology into the course of study.

Framework Components

• An Honors Course shall include five of the following components:– Deeper exploration of the culture,

values, and history of the discipline.

– Extensive opportunities for problem-solving experiences through imagination, critical analysis, and application.

Honors Courses

Course Matrix

Questions and Answers