Honors Level Coursework

Overview & Background 

In response to the field requesting updated guidance and to address current standards and instructional best practices, the State Board of Education amended its Course for Credit policy CCRE-001, in July of 2023, to include a definition of honors level courses and a review of courses based on the adopted Honors Level Course Guide. The Honors Level Course Guide will better support Public School Units (PSUs) in the development, implementation, and evaluation of honors level courses. Full implementation of this policy is expected by the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

What Makes an Honors Level Course Honors?

Tab/Accordion Items

  • Independent investigation  
  • Intentional differentiation 
  • Inquiry and connections 
  • Depth and complexity 
  • Collaboration 
  • Increased pace

  • Additional assessments  
  • One size fits all  
  • Longer papers 
  • Only more work

     

Importance of Honors Level Courses  

Honors level courses provide students with opportunities for enhanced rigor, depth, and complexity. Students who participate in honors level courses develop critical-thinking skills, take ownership for their learning, and become creative problem-solvers and collaborators. In 2022, 84% of all high school graduates successfully completed at least one honors course while in high school.

Honors Level Course Guide 

This Honors Level Course Guide is intended to provide guidance for creating, implementing, and evaluating high quality honors level courses. It is recommended that personnel within each PSU who are responsible for managing and teaching honors level courses be familiar with this guide and use it as a reference for honors courses. The Honors Level Course Criteria should be used internally to develop and evaluate individual honors courses and provide feedback where needed. 

Honors Level Course Guide, Updated November 2024

Honors Level Course Development and Evaluation Tool

The Honors Level Course Development and Implementation Tool has been developed for use at the district and school level. Teachers and designated instructional leaders within each PSU should work collaboratively to ensure the requirements within the Honors Level Course Development and Implementation Tool are consistently, equitably, and fairly upheld for each honors level course. 

Honors Level Course Development and Evaluation Tool, Updated November 2024

Honors Implementation Planning Tool

The Honors Implementation Planning Tool may be used by districts as they start planning how to begin the process of implementing the Honors Policy added to CCRE-001. This tool is an option districts may use to guide initial conversations regarding how to gather an honors team and next steps to take. 

Honors Implementation Planning Tool

Honors Level Course Guide PSU Attestation Statement 

The Honors Level Course Guide PSU Attestation Statement is a self monitoring tool that should also be used and housed internally, at the district level, to ensure fidelity and transparency among all stakeholders. The PSU Attestation Statement can also be found on the last page of the Honors Level Course Guide.  

PSU Attestation Statement

PSU Attestation Submission Form

Support from NCDPI

Overview Webinar of Honors Level Coursework 

Honors Level Course Vignettes - Recordings

The NCDPI Honors Level Course Recordings "vignettes" are an additional support districts may use as they begin implementation of the Honors Policy included in CCRE-001. These vignettes provide guidance and information on adapting the standard level courses for honors level coursework. The recorded vignettes explain how to utilize NCDPI resources to adapt instruction based on the NC Standard Course of Study and provide a process that can be used regularly to provide rigorous honors level coursework.

Science Math ELA CTE

Health PE Multilingual Learner  Social Studies

Elevating Honors Level Courses Resource

The NCDPI Honors Team has created a support resource designed specifically for educators teaching Honors Level Coursework. Developed to complement the NCDPI professional development delivered across the state, it provides educators with policy information and expectations, a range of strategies, tips, and best practices to help teachers elevate rigor and foster deeper learning in their Honors courses. This resource can assist educators as they work to refine their teaching approaches, deepen student engagement, and promote academic excellence in Honors level classrooms.

Elevating Honors:  Advanced learning strategies for honors level coursework

Office Hours

2024

2025

 

If you have any comments or questions, please contact:
Dr. Crissy Brown, Office of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education, Kelly Schultz, and Tom Daugherty, Office of Academic Standards, or Karen McPherson, Career and Technical Education (CTE)

 

Off