Description: Electrical Systems prepares students for careers as electricians across a variety of residential and commercial environments. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to implement safety procedures and tools to perform operations with device boxes, conduits, raceway systems conductors, and cables. Students will read and interpret the National Electrical Code, drawings, specifications, and diagrams to determine materials and procedures needed to complete a project. Students will calculate residential loads to recommend electrical hardware. Standards in this course also introduce basic troubleshooting procedures and power systems, and expand on principles of the construction industry, delving deeper into business and project management. Students will continue compiling artifacts for inclusion in their portfolios, which they will carry with them throughout the full sequence of courses in this program of study.

Supplemental Materials: 

• Tennessee Electrical Systems Student Edition Package, Pearson

Tennessee CTE Standards

Description: Fundamentals of Construction is a foundational course in the Architecture & Construction cluster covering essential knowledge, skills, and concepts required for careers in construction. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to describe various construction fields and outline the steps necessary to advance in specific construction careers. Students will be able to employ tools safely and interpret construction drawings to complete projects demonstrating proper measurement and application of mathematical concepts. Standards in this course also include an overview of the construction industry and an introduction to building systems and materials. Students will begin compiling artifacts for inclusion in their portfolios, which they will carry with them throughout the full sequence of courses in their selected program of study.

Supplemental Materials: 

• TN Fundamentals of Construction, Pearson

Tennessee CTE Standards

Description: Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing Systems prepares students for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC careers by introducing students to the physical principles of these systems and the fundamental skills needed to work with them. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to follow safety procedures and use tools to perform basic operations with electrical circuits, as well as demonstrate understanding in fundamental concepts of electricity theory (i.e. Ohm’s Law). Students will be able to apply proper tools and procedures to perform basic operations with plastic piping, including measuring, cutting, and joining pipe. Furthermore, students will be able to apply mathematics concepts to solve HVAC, electrical, and plumbing problems. Standards in this course also include principles of the construction industry and business and project management. Students will continue compiling artifacts for inclusion in their portfolios, which they will carry with them throughout the full sequence of courses in this program of study.

Supplemental Materials: 

• Tennessee MEP Systems, Pearson

Tennessee CTE Standards

Description: Residential & Commercial Construction I is the second course in the Residential & Commercial Construction program of study intended to prepare students for careers in construction by developing an understanding of the different phases of a construction project from start to finish. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skill in the earlier phases of building construction, including site layout, foundation systems, concrete, framing systems, and electrical systems. Students will be able to perform concrete work; frame walls, ceilings, and floors of a structure; and install proper wiring while safely employing tools and interpreting construction drawings to complete projects. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating proper measurement and application of mathematical concepts. Standards in this course also include principles of the construction industry and business and project management. Students will continue compiling artifacts for inclusion in their portfolios, which they will carry with them throughout the full sequence of courses in this program of study.

Supplemental Materials:

• Tennessee Residential and Commercial Construction I, Pearson

Tennessee CTE Standards

Description: Residential & Commercial Construction II is the third course in the Residential & Commercial Construction program of study intended to prepare students for careers in construction by developing an understanding of the different phases of a construction project from start to finish. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skill in the later phases of building construction including roofing systems, exterior finishing, stair framing systems, masonry systems, and plumbing systems. Students will be able to perform masonry work; frame roofs; install shingles on roofs; apply exterior finishes; and install proper piping for plumbing systems while safely employing tools and interpreting construction drawings to complete projects. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating proper measurement and application of mathematical concepts. Standards in this course also include an introduction to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, principles of the construction industry, and business and project management. Students will continue compiling artifacts for inclusion in their portfolios, which they will carry with them throughout the full sequence of courses in this program of study.

Supplemental Materials:

• Tennessee Residential and Commercial Construction 2, Pearson

Tennessee CTE Standards

Description: Structural Systems I prepares students for careers in residential and commercial carpentry. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skill in framing buildings. Students will be able to frame floors, walls, ceilings, roofs, and stairs while safely employing tools and interpreting construction drawings to complete projects. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating proper measurement and application of mathematical concepts. Standards in this course also include principles of the construction industry and business and project management. Students will continue compiling artifacts for inclusion in their portfolios, which they will carry with them throughout the full sequence of courses in this program of study.

Supplemental Materials:

• Carpentry Level 1, Pearson
• Modern Carpentry, 12th Edition, Goodheart Wilcox
• Carpentry Building and Construction, Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

Tennessee CTE Standards

Description: Structural Systems II is an advanced-level course that builds on the introductory skills learned in the Fundamentals of Construction and Structural Systems I courses. This course will explore advanced framing, the physics of structural loads, and the coverings and finishes of structural systems. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to install interior and exterior finishing, including roofing, siding, thermal and moisture protection components, drywall, doors, and trim. Throughout the course, students will interpret construction drawings to complete projects, implementing material estimating procedures and safe working practices. Standards in this course also expand on principles of the construction industry and delve deeper into business and project management strategies. Students will continue compiling artifacts for inclusion in their portfolios, which they will carry with them throughout the full sequence of courses in this program of study.

Supplemental Materials: 

• Tennessee Structural Systems II, Pearson

Tennessee CTE Standards

Description: Construction Practicum is a capstone course intended to provide students with the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge learned in previous Architecture & Construction courses within a professional working environment. In addition to developing an understanding of the professional and ethical issues encountered by tradesmen and contractors in the workplace, students learn to refine their skills in problem solving, communication, teamwork, and project management in the completion of a course-long project. Due to the importance of on-the-job training in the construction industry, a principle aim of the practicum is to assist students with placements where on-the-job training occurs, if available, so they can begin to log hours on a worksite and gain experience prior to entering the job market, such as in pre-apprenticeships. Additionally, students are exposed to the great range of postsecondary opportunities in today’s construction fields as well, in order to prepare them to make an informed decision regarding their post-high school plans. The course is highly customizable to meet local system needs. Instruction may be delivered through work-based learning arrangements such as internships, cooperative education, service learning, mentoring, and job shadowing or through school laboratory training with industry-driven projectbased learning. For all projects undertaken in this course, students are expected to continue building skills related to their chosen program of study (Residential & Commercial Construction, Structural Systems, or Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing Systems), while also refining skills previously acquired to achieve deeper levels of mastery. In the course, students may pursue additional training and certification in a specialized area such as masonry, concrete, electricity, plumbing, HVAC, or carpentry. Upon completion of the practicum, proficient students will be prepared to pursue further study in architecture or construction, or seek additional training and employment with the aid of a portfolio documenting student work completed throughout high school.

Supplemental Materials:

• See teacher syllabus.

Tennessee CTE Standards