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1. Certification Requirements

A. Grades 9-12

1. Total number of 9-12 teachers with main assignment in science (2004): 6,036
2. Total number of science teachers in grades 9-12 with an Earth science assignment (2004): 545
3. Percentage of 9-12 science teachers with an Earth science certification (2004): N/A
4. Specific licensure requirements for secondary teachers (2006-2007): Spec. min. number of units in the  subject area taught; specifies components to be included in program.

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): Spec. min. number of units in the  subject area taught; specifies components to be included in program.

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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: Districts decide. Local District Decision
2. Required science courses: Determined at the district level
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? Yes. Courses with Earth science content include Geology, meteorology, oceanography, weather and climate, hydrology.
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? Yes. It can be part of Environmental Biology
8.  If Environmental science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements?   Yes, as long as it meets the standards.

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? 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	1,820,935	781,042	443,581	590,332

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

Course	Earth science	Chemistry	Biology	Physics
Percent	55%	66&	94%	37%

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

Year	Percent	Students
1996-97	Not Available	Not Available
1997-98	Not Available	Not Available
1999-00	Not Available	Not Available
2003-04	55%	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 (29%)
General Science	Not Available (Not Available)	Not Available (36%)
Physical Science	Not Available (Not Available)	Not Available (21%)
Life Science	Not Available (Not Available)	Not Available (23%)
Integrated or Coordinated Science	Not Available (Not Available)	Not Available (8%)

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4. Science Standards: 2006-2007 School Year

• Standards Publication: Academic Standards
• Year in which science standards were adopted: 2002
• Are state standards determined at the district level? Districts write their own standards and use the state standards as a guideline.
• When will the state standards be revised?  No schedule for revision.

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.  Emphasis includes water sheds and wetlands, renewable and non renewable resources, Environmental Health, Agriculture and society, pest management, ecosystems, endangered species, Humans and the environment, Environmental laws and regulations.

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?
PSSA: Pennsylvania State Testing	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11	Yes in grades 4, 8, 11
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

• Does the state select or recommend textbooks? No. 
• Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: Developing a "Rocks In Box" program where rock samples from PA are put in box and CD is put in package then given to schools.  "PA Rock Hound Kit"  Science and Technology program is used at the elementary level.
• Environmental science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: Developing a "Rocks In Box" program where rock samples from PA are put in box and CD is put in package then given to schools.  "PA Rock Hound Kit"  Science and Technology program is used at the elementary level.
• Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the middle school level:  Developing a "Rocks In Box" program where rock samples from PA are put in box and CD is put in package then given to schools.  "PA Rock Hound Kit"  Science and Technology program is used at the elementary level.

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State Contact Person

G. Kip Bollinger	Science Education Advisor
Pennsylvania Department of Education 333 Market St. 8th Floor Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333	Gbollinger@state.PA.us 717-783-3958

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