1. Certification Requirements
A. Grades 9-12
- Total number of 9-12 teachers with main assignment in science: 6,163
- Total number of science teachers in grades 9-12 with an Earth science assignment: 1,055
- Percentage of 9-12 science teachers with an Earth science certification: 59%
- Specific licensure requirements for secondary teachers: Subject matter examination/approved program. Major in single subject taught.
B. Grades 6-8
- Total number of teachers in grades 7-8 with a main assignment in science: 5, 877
- Total number of grades 7-8 science teachers in all assignments: 7,577
- Percentage of middle grade science teachers certified in science: 59%
- 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
- Number of science credits required for high school graduation: 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
- Is an Earth science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? Yes.
- Is Earth science part of another course required for high school graduation? Yes, it can be part of an integrated science course.
- If Earth science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements? Yes.
- Is an Environmental science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? No
- Is Environmental science part of another course required for high school graduation? Yes. Ecology focus within biology/life science.
- If Environmental science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements? Not Available.
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.
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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
- Name of Exam: California High School Exit Exam
- Type of Test: Standards based
- Does the exam have a science component? No.
- At what grade do students first take the exam? 12
- Is passing the exam a requirement for a diploma? Yes.
- 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
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