1. Certification Requirements

A. Grades 9-12

Total number of 9-12 teachers with main assignment in science (2004): 177
Total number of science teachers in grades 9-12 with an Earth science assignment (2004): 39
Percentage of 9-12 science teachers with an Earth science certification (2004): 100%
Specific licensure requirements for secondary teachers (2006-2007): Major required; requires a specific min. number of units in subject area taught; specifies component in program.

B. Grades 6-8

Total number of teachers in grades 7-8 with a main assignment in science (2004): 159
Total number of grades 7-8 science teachers in all assignments (2004): 456
Percentage of middle grade science teachers certified in science (2004): 87%
Specific licensure requirements for middle school teachers (2006-2007): Major required; requires a specific min. number of units in subject area taught; specifies component in program.

2. Course Requirements: 2006-2007 School Year

A. Grades 9-12

Number of science credits required for high school graduation: 2 (3 for advanced) labs are a must
Required science courses: State does not have a requirement in this category. 2 lab sciences for graduation. 3 lab sciences needed for University entrance. Courses offered in most districts include Chemistry, Physics, Physical science, Geology, Archeology, and Biology.
Is an Earth science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? Determined at the district level. Determined at the district level
Is Earth science part of another course required for high school graduation? Yes. Earth science can be part of an integrated science course.
If Earth science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements? Earth science counts when lab experience is part of the course. Lab science is defined as an extension of the classroom. Field experience fulfills lab requirement.
Is an Environmental science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? District decision It is taught in some districts.
Is Environmental science part of another course required for high school graduation? Yes. It can be part of an integrated science course.
If Environmental science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements? Yes. Environmental science can if it has a lab portion.

B. Grades 6-8

Is Earth Science part of the middle school science curriculum (grades 6-8)? Yes.
Is it taught as a full year curriculum or an integrated curriculum? Full Year.
At what grade level(s) is Earth science taught? 6th-8th.

3. K-12 Enrollment

A. Student Enrollment: 2004-2005 School Year

Grades	K-12	K-5	6-8	9-12
Students	121,625	44,557	28,995	38,907

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

Course	Earth science	Chemistry	Biology	Physics
Percent	6%	58%	95%	23%

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

Year	Percent	Students
1996-97	18%	2,250
1997-98	17%	2,100
1999-00	11%	1,237
2003-04	6%	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	3,353 (16%)	Not Available (12%)
General Science	12,783 (61%)	Not Available (48%)
Physical Science	419 (2%)	Not Available (6%)
Life Science	1,677 (8%)	Not Available (12%)
Integrated or Coordinated Science	210 (1%)	Not Available (26%)

4. Science Standards: 2006-2007 School Year

Standards Publication: South Dakota Content Standards
Year in which science standards were adopted: Spring 2005
Are state standards determined at the district level? Districts adopt the state standards but can add to them.
When will the state standards be revised? Just revised spring 2005

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 within science, technology, environment and society standards.

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

5. Testing and Assessment

A. State Science Tests: 2006-2007 School Year

Test	Grade Levels Tested:	Earth Science Component on the Test?
Dakota State Testing of Education	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11	n/a
Dakota STEP Alternative	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11	n/a
None:	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

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

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

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: N/A
Environmental science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: N/A
Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the middle school level: N/A

State Contact Person

Brenda Robertson	Science / Social Studies Curriculum Specialist
South Dakota Dept. of Education 700 Governor's Drive Pierre, SD 57501	Brenda.Robertson@state.sd.us 605-773-2533