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1. Certification Requirements

A. Grades 9-12

1. Total number of 9-12 teachers with main assignment in science: 6,163
2. Total number of science teachers in grades 9-12 with an Earth science assignment:  1,055
3. Percentage of 9-12 science teachers with an Earth science certification: 59%
4. Specific licensure requirements for secondary teachers: Subject matter examination/approved program. Major in single subject taught.

B. Grades 6-8

1. Total number of teachers in grades 7-8 with a main assignment in science: 5, 877
2. Total number of grades 7-8 science teachers in all assignments: 7,577
3. Percentage of middle grade science teachers certified in science: 59%
4. Specific licensure requirements for middle school teachers: Subject matter examination/approved program. Major in single subject taught.

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2. Course Requirements

A. Grades 9-12

1. Number of science credits required for high school graduation: 2.
2. Required science courses: 2 credits including Biology and Physical Science. 1 course in biological sciences, 1 course in physical sciences (which includes physics, chemistry and earth science) or 2 years of integrated science that include a biological and physical sciences components
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, it can be part of an integrated science course.
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? No
7. Is Environmental science part of another course required for high school graduation? Yes. Ecology focus within biology/life science.
8.  If Environmental science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements?   Not Available. 

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?  Full Year. 
3. At what grade level(s) is Earth science taught? 6th.

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3. K-12 Enrollment

A. Percent of Grade 9-12 students enrolled in selected courses

Course	Earth science	Chemistry	Biology	Physics
Percent	13%	39%	72%	18%

B. Enrollment trends in Grade 9-12 Earth science

Year	Percent	Students
1996-97	9%	40,574
1997-98	9%	41,279
1999-00	8%	38,588
2003-04	13%	Not Available

C. Students in grades 7-8 enrolled in selected science courses

	1999-2000	2003-2004
Course	Students (Percentage)	Students (Percentage)
Earth Science	8,708 (1%)	Not Available (1%)
General Science	505,067 (58%)	Not Available (51%)
Physical Science	69,664 (8%)	Not Available (7%)
Life Science	78,372 (9%)	Not Available (8%)
Integrated or Coordinated Science	Not Available	Not Applicable (Not Applicable)

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4. K-12 Indicators

	State	National
Average Freshman Graduation Rate	69.2%	73.2%
College Enrollment Rate	56.1%	68.6%
AP Participation Rate	30.8%	25%

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5. Science Standards

• Standards Publication: Content Standards for California Public Schools (pdf)
• Year in which science standards were adopted: 1998
• Are state standards determined at the district level? Districts adopt the state standards.
• When will the state standards be revised?  N/A

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6. Testing and Assessment

A. State Science Tests

Test	Grade Levels Tested:	Earth Science Component on the Test?
Standardized Testing and Reporting Program	10	Not Available
Golden State Exams	9, 10, 11, and 12	Tests are discipline-specific.
High School Exit Exam	10	No

B. State High School Exit Exam

1. Name of Exam: California High School Exit Exam
2. Type of Test: Standards based
3. Does the exam have a science component? No.
4. At what grade do students first take the exam? 12
5. Is passing the exam a requirement for a diploma? Yes.
6. Does the exam have an Earth science component? No.

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7. Textbook Adoptions

• Does the state select or recommend textbooks? Recommends. K-8 adoptions are recommended
• Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level:
• Environmental science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level:  
• Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the middle school level:  Glencoe: Science Voyager; McGraw-Hill: Sciences; Prentice Hall:  Science Explorer; Holt: Earth, Life, and Physical Science.

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8. State Contact Person

Lisa Fassett	Science Consultant
California Department of Education (CDE) 1430 N Street Suite 5408 Sacramento, CA 95814	lfassett@cde.ca.gov 916-323-4963

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