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1. Certification Requirements

A. Grades 9-12

1. Total number of 9-12 teachers with main assignment in science (2004): N/A
2. Total number of science teachers in grades 9-12 with an Earth science assignment (2004): N/A
3. Percentage of 9-12 science teachers with an Earth science certification (2004): N/A
4. Specific licensure requirements for secondary teachers (2006-2007): Major:  min of 30 hours/Group major 36 hours; Minor:  min 20 hours/Group minor 24 hours; 3 hours teaching. 

B. Grades 6-8

1. Total number of teachers in grades 7-8 with a main assignment in science (2004): N/A
2. Total number of grades 7-8 science teachers in all assignments (2004): N/A
3. Percentage of middle grade science teachers certified in science (2004): N/A
4. Specific licensure requirements for middle school teachers (2006-2007): Major:  min of 30 hours/Group major 36 hours; Minor:  Minimum 20 hours/Group minor 24 hours; 3 hours teaching.

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2. Course Requirements: 2007-2008 School Year

A. Grades 9-12

1. Number of science credits required for high school graduation: 3
2. Required science courses: Biology,Chemistry or Physical Science, and one additional course
3. Is an Earth science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? Yes, in some districts.
4. Is Earth science part of another course required for high school graduation? Yes. Earth science can be part of an integrated science course.
5. If Earth science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements?  Yes, determined at the district level.
6. Is an Environmental science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? Yes, school decision, offered at some schools.
7. Is Environmental science part of another course required for high school graduation? No.
8.  If Environmental science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements?   Yes. 

B. Grades 6-8

1. Is Earth Science part of the middle school science curriculum (grades 6-8)?  Yes.
2. Is it taught as a full year curriculum or an integrated curriculum?  Integrated. 
3. At what grade level(s) is Earth science taught? Grades 5,6,7 (Michigan’s Middle School…grade 8 is part of the HS Curriculum).

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3. K-12 Enrollment

A. Student Enrollment: 2007-2008 School Year

Grades	K-12	K-5	6-8	9-12
Students	1.85 Million	~770,000	~380,000	~550,000

B. Percent of Grade 9 students enrolled in selected courses: 2003-2004 School Year

Course	Earth science	Chemistry	Biology	Physics
Percent	21%	43%	75%	21%

C. Enrollment trends in Grade 9 Earth science: 1996-2004

Year	Percent	Students
1996-97	Not Available	Not Available
1997-98	26%	33,605
1999-00	Not Available	Not Available
2003-04	21%	Not Available

D. Students in grades 7-8 enrolled in selected science courses: 1999-2000 vs. 2003-2004 School Years

	1999-2000	2003-2004
Course	Students (Percentage)	Students (Percentage)
Earth Science	Not Available (Not Available)	Not Available (6%)
General Science	Not Available (Not Available)	Not Available (33%)
Physical Science	Not Available (Not Available)	Not Available (9%)
Life Science	Not Available (Not Available)	Not Available (8%)
Integrated or Coordinated Science	Not Available (Not Available)	Not Available (17%)

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4. Science Standards: 2007-2008 School Year

• Standards Publication: Michigan Education Content Standards for Elementary and Middle School | Michigan Education Content Standards for High School
• Year in which science standards were adopted: Elementary and Middle School Adopted 2007 (revised 2009) | High School 2006
• Are state standards determined at the district level? No, districts adopt the state standards.
• When will the state standards be revised?  TBD

The National Science Education Standards outline the concepts and principles that students should understand about Earth and space science. At the middle school level, the standards are divided into three areas: Structure of the Earth System, Earth’s History, and Earth in the Solar System. At the high school level, the standards are divided into four areas: Energy in the Earth System, Geochemical Cycles, Origin and Evolution of the Earth System, and Origin and Evolution of the Universe. For the AGI Report, the Earth science standards for each state were reviewed to determine whether they incorporate the concepts and principles outlined in the National Science Education Standards.

A. Do the state standards for grades 9-12 contain principles and concepts related to:

Energy in the Earth system? Yes	Origin and evolution of the Earth system? Yes
Geochemical cycles? Yes	Origin and evolution of the universe? Yes

B. Do the state standards for grades 9-12 include environmental science concepts?
Some. Using Scientific knowledge in Life science:  Ecosystem interactions, energy flow in an ecosystem, change in communities of living things, cycling of materials through an ecosystem, interactions of humans and the environment.

C. Do the state standards for grades 5-8 contain principles and concepts related to:

Structure of the Earth system?  Yes	Earth in the Solar System? Yes
Earth’s history? Yes

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5. Testing and Assessment

A. State Science Tests: 2007-2008 School Year

Test	Grade Levels Tested:	Earth Science Component on the Test?
MEAP Grade 5 and 8 Science	5 and 8	Earth science makes up 30% of the test at each grade level.
Michigan Merit Curriculum	11	Earth science makes up 30% of the test.

B. State High School Exit Exam: 2007-08 School Year

1. Name of Exam: Michigan Merit Curriculum
2. Type of Test: M/C Science suppliment and ACT
3. Does the exam have a science component? Yes, ACT and Science Reflection and Content “Wrap-around”
4. At what grade do students first take the exam? 11
5. Is passing the exam a requirement for a diploma? No
6. Does the exam have an Earth science component? Yes

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6. Textbook Adoptions: 2003-2004 School Year

• Does the state select or recommend textbooks? No. 
• Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: Any and all, Michigan has over 800 individual “districts” each can use their own materials.
• Environmental science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: >Any and all, Michigan has over 800 individual “districts” each can use their own materials 
• Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the middle school level: >Any and all, Michigan has over 800 individual “districts” each can use their own materials

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State Contact Person

Kevin Richard	Science Education Consultant
Michigan Department of Education P.O. Box 3008 Lansing, MI  48909	RichardK1@Michigan.gov 517-373-4223

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