 Printable Version
1. Certification Requirements
A. Grades 9-12
- Total number of 9-12 teachers with main assignment in science: 3,576
- Total number of science teachers in grades 9-12 with an Earth science assignment: 1,671
- Percentage of 9-12 science teachers with an Earth science certification: N/A
- Specific licensure requirements for secondary teachers: Major/Minor, and/or specifics components in and approved program.
B. Grades 6-8
- Total number of teachers in grades 7-8 with a main assignment in science: 2,883
- Total number of grades 7-8 science teachers in all assignments: 5,786
- Percentage of middle grade science teachers certified in science: N/A
- Specific licensure requirements for middle school teachers: Major/Minor, and/or specifics components in program
Back to top
2. Course Requirements
A. Grades 9-12
- Number of science credits required for high school graduation: 3.
- Required science courses: 2 units of laboratory science.
- Is an Earth science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? Florida does not provide a recommended science curriculum with specific courses listed. Students may take any combination of 3 science credits from the approved science courses in the state course code directory. The course code directory includes several courses in the Earth/Space science category.
- Is Earth science part of another course required for high school graduation? No.
- If Earth science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements? Yes, any of the courses listed in the Earth/Space science category will count as a science credit for graduation.
- Is an Environmental science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? Florida does have an Environmental science course in the course code directory, but does not provide a recommended science curriculum with specific courses listed.
- Is Environmental science part of another course required for high school graduation? No.
- If Environmental science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements? Yes.
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? Varies from one district to another.
- At what grade level(s) is Earth science taught? Varies from one district to another.
Back to top
3. K-12 Enrollment A. Percent of Grade 9-12 students enrolled in selected courses
|
Course |
Earth science |
Chemistry |
Biology |
Physics |
Percent |
27% |
49% |
76% |
17% |
B. Enrollment trends in Grade 9-12 Earth science
|
Year |
Percent |
Students |
1996-97 |
Not Available |
Not Available |
1997-98 |
Not Available |
Not Available |
1999-00 |
Not Available |
Not Available |
2003-04 |
27% |
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 |
Not Available |
Not Available
(77%) |
Physical Science |
Not Available |
Not Available
(5%) |
Life Science |
Not Available |
Not Available
(6%) |
Integrated or Coordinated Science |
Not Available |
Not Available
(0.1%) |
Back to top
4. K-12 Indicators
|
State |
National |
| Average Freshman Graduation Rate |
63.6% |
73.2% |
| College Enrollment Rate |
60.2% |
68.6% |
| AP Participation Rate |
34% |
25% |
Back to top
5. Science Standards
- Standards Publication: Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards
- Year in which science standards were adopted: 2008
- 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? 2014
Back to top
6. Testing and Assessment
A. State Science Tests
|
Test |
Grade Levels Tested: |
Earth Science Component on the Test? |
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) |
5, 8, and 11 |
Earth science makes up 25% of each assessment. |
B. State High School Exit Exam
- Name of Exam: Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test
- Type of Test: Criterion Referenced
- Does the exam have a science component? Yes
- At what grade do students first take the exam? 11 for science (10 for math and LA)
- Is passing the exam a requirement for a diploma? Not for science; yes for math and LA.
- Does the exam have an Earth science component? Yes
Back to top
7. Textbook Adoptions
- Does the state select or recommend textbooks? Yes, Florida has a statewide science instructional materials adoption process every 6 years.
- Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: The list of state adopted instructional materials for Earth/Space Science and Environmental Science at the high school level, as well as Earth/Space Science at the middle school level, can be found at here.
- Environmental science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: The list of state adopted instructional materials for Earth/Space Science and Environmental Science at the high school level, as well as Earth/Space Science at the middle school level, can be found at here.
- Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the middle school level: The list of state adopted instructional materials for Earth/Space Science and Environmental Science at the high school level, as well as Earth/Space Science at the middle school level, can be found at here.
Back to top
8. State Contact Person
Back to tops
|
|
