Missouri

  1. Certification Requirements
  2. Course Requirements
  3. K-12 Enrollment
  4. Science Standards
  5. Testing and Assessment
  6. Textbook Adoptions
  7. State Contact Person

1. Certification Requirements

A. Grades 9-12

  1. Total number of 9-12 teachers with main assignment in science (2004): 1,899
  2. Total number of science teachers in grades 9-12 with an Earth science assignment (2004): 199
  3. Percentage of 9-12 science teachers with an Earth science certification (2004): 86%
  4. Specific licensure requirements for secondary teachers (2006-2007): Approved program plus 30 hours in content area.  Subject area degree.

B. Grades 6-8

  1. Total number of teachers in grades 7-8 with a main assignment in science (2004): 1,172
  2. Total number of grades 7-8 science teachers in all assignments (2004): 1,430
  3. Percentage of middle grade science teachers certified in science (2004): 89%
  4. Specific licensure requirements for middle school teachers (2006-2007): Approved program plus 30 hours in content area.

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2. Course Requirements: 2006-2007 School Year

A. Grades 9-12

  1. Number of science credits required for high school graduation: 3
  2. Required science courses: State does not have a requirement in this category.
  3. Is an Earth science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? Yes.
  4. Is Earth science part of another course required for high school graduation? Determined at the district level.
  5. If Earth science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements?  Yes.
  6. Is an Environmental science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? Yes
  7. Is Environmental science part of another course required for high school graduation? District decision. Determined at the district level
  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?  Both.  Subject to local curriculum design.
  3. At what grade level(s) is Earth science taught? 6th-8th.

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3. K-12 Enrollment

A. Student Enrollment: 2004-2005 School Year


Grades

K-12

K-5

6-8

9-12

Students

891,847

395,789

219,276

276,782

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


Course

Earth science

Chemistry

Biology

Physics

Percent

11%

46%

95%

14%

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


Year

Percent

Students

1996-97

15%

10,866

1997-98

15%

11,209

1999-00

17%

12,884

2003-04

11%

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

30,625
(22%)

Not Available
(17%)

General Science

58,466
(42%)

Not Available
(50%)

Physical Science

6,960
(5%)

Not Available
(3%)

Life Science

37,585
(27%)

Not Available
(24%)

Integrated or Coordinated Science

Not Available
(Not Available)

Not Available
(Not Available)

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4. Science Standards: 2006-2007 School Year

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?
Yes. 

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: 2006-2007 School Year


Test

Grade Levels Tested:

Earth Science Component on the Test?

MAP

3, 7, and 10

Earth science makes up 21% of the test at 3rd grade, 18% at 7th grade, and 23% at 10th grade.

None:

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

None:

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

B. State High School Exit Exam: 2006-2007 School Year

  1. Name of Exam: Not Applicable
  2. Type of Test: Not Applicable
  3. Does the exam have a science component? Not Applicable
  4. At what grade do students first take the exam? Not Applicable
  5. Is passing the exam a requirement for a diploma? Not Applicable
  6. Does the exam have an Earth science component? Not Applicable

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6.  Textbook Adoptions: 2003-2004 School Year

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State Contact Person

Walt Brown

Coordinator of Cirriculum and Assessment

Missouri Department of Elementary Secondary Education
P.O. Box 480
Jefferson City, MO 65102

walt.brown@dese.mo.gov

573-751-0682

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