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1. Certification Requirements

A. Grades 9-12

1. Total number of 9-12 teachers with main assignment in science (2004): 1,728
2. Total number of science teachers in grades 9-12 with an Earth science assignment (2004): 242
3. Percentage of 9-12 science teachers with an Earth science certification (2004): 95%
4. Specific licensure requirements for secondary teachers (2006-2007): Competence based on job-related objectives.

B. Grades 6-8

1. Total number of teachers in grades 7-8 with a main assignment in science (2004): 725
2. Total number of grades 7-8 science teachers in all assignments (2004): 725
3. Percentage of middle grade science teachers certified in science (2004): 92%
4. Specific licensure requirements for middle school teachers (2006-2007): Competence based on job-related objectives.

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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: all lab courses
3. Is an Earth science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? No.
4. Is Earth science part of another course required for high school graduation? Yes, students are required to take CATS in 9th and 10th grades.
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 Students can take Environmental Earth Science at 11th or 12th grades.
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? 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	272,140	123,066	66,499	82,574

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

Course	Earth science	Chemistry	Biology	Physics
Percent	3%	17%	17%	11%

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

Year	Percent	Students
1996-97	2%	520
1997-98	3%	754
1999-00	1%	239
2003-04	3%	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 (Not Available)
General Science	Not Available (Not Available)	Not Available (Not Available)
Physical Science	Not Available (Not Available)	Not Available (Not Available)
Life Science	Not Available (Not Available)	Not Available (Not Available)
Integrated or Coordinated Science	43,073 (96%)	Not Available (100%)

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4. Science Standards: 2006-2007 School Year

• Standards Publication: Content Standards and Objectives Policies
• Year in which science standards were adopted: 2003
• Are state standards determined at the district level? Districts adopt the state standards.
• When will the state standards be revised?  Not Available.

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.  Environmental science and ecosystems focus in 11th or 12th grade, advanced Biology and Environment focus in 11th or 12th grade, Environmental Earth science.

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?
ACT Explore National Assessment of Educational Progress	4, 8, and 12	Not Available
Norm-Referenced Test	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,	Not Available
None:	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

B. State High School Exit Exam: 2006-2007School 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? Selects and Recommends. 
• 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

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State Contact Person

Michael Kees	Coordinator, Science
Office of Instructional Services Building 6, Room 330 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East Charleston, WV25305-0330	mkees@access.k12.wv.us 304-558-7805
West Virginia Department of Education

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