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1. Certification Requirements

A. Grades 9-12

1. Total number of 9-12 teachers with main assignment in science: N/A
2. Total number of science teachers in grades 9-12 with an Earth science assignment: N/A
3. Percentage of 9-12 science teachers with an Earth science certification: N/A
4. Specific licensure requirements for secondary teachers: 21 to 52 hours depending on subject area; major required.

B. Grades 6-8

1. Total number of teachers in grades 7-8 with a main assignment in science: N/A
2. Total number of grades 7-8 science teachers in all assignments: N/A
3. Percentage of middle grade science teachers certified in science: N/A
4. Specific licensure requirements for middle school teachers: 21 to 52 hours depending on subject area; major required.

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2. Course Requirements

A. Grades 9-12

1. Number of science credits required for high school graduation: 4
2. Required science courses: must include two lab course
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? N/A
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? N/A
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?  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 students enrolled in selected courses

Course	Earth science	Chemistry	Biology	Physics
Percent	14%	61%	93%	18%

B. Enrollment trends in Grade 9-12 Earth science

Year	Percent	Students
1996-97	22%	1,089
1997-98	Not Available	Not Available
1999-00	12%	635
2003-04	14%	Not Available

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

	1999-2000	2003-2004
Course	Students (Percentage)	Students (Percentage)
Earth Science	Not Available	Not Available (1%)
General Science	787 (9%)	Not Available (5%)
Physical Science	3,146 (36%)	Not Available (36%)
Life Science	3,933 (45%)	Not Available (38%)
Integrated or Coordinated Science	Not Available	Not Available

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4. K-12 Indicators

	State	National
Average Freshman Graduation Rate	76.3%	73.2%
College Enrollment Rate	66.3%	68.6%
AP Participation Rate	26.8%	25%

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5. Science Standards

• Standards Publication: Standards for Teaching and Learning
• Year in which science standards were adopted: 2010
• Are state standards determined at the district level? No
• 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?
DC CAS	5, 8 and Biology in 10	No.
End of Course	Biology	No

B. State High School Exit Exam

1. Name of Exam: No.
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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7. Textbook Adoptions

• Does the state select or recommend textbooks? Yes. 
• Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: Holt, Earth Science
• Environmental science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level:  Holt, Environmental Science
• Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the middle school level:  McDougal Littell, Earth Science

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8. State Contact Person

Michael J. Kaspar	Director of Science
DC Public Schools 825 North Capitol Street, NE Room 8106 Washington, DC 20002	michael.kaspar@k12.dc.us 202-442-5646

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