1. Certification Requirements
A. Grades 9-12
- Total number of 9-12 teachers with main assignment in science: 1419
- Total number of science teachers in grades 9-12 with an Earth science assignment: 165
- Percentage of 9-12 science teachers with an Earth science certification: N/A
- Specific licensure requirements for secondary teachers: major/minor; 30 hour major; specifies components in program.
B. Grades 6-8
- Total number of teachers in grades 7-8 with a main assignment in science: 850
- Total number of grades 7-8 science teachers in all assignments: 7768
- Percentage of middle grade science teachers certified in science: N/A
- Specific licensure requirements for middle school teachers: Major/minor; 30 hour major; specifies components in program
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2. Course Requirements
A. Grades 9-12
- Number of science credits required for high school graduation: 3.
- Required science courses:Determined at the district level.
- Is an Earth science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? No.
- Is Earth science part of another course required for high school graduation? Determined at the district level.
- If Earth science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements? Determined at the district level.
- Is an Environmental science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? N/A
- Is Environmental science part of another course required for high school graduation? Determined at the district level
- If Environmental science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements? Determined at the district level.
B. Grades 6-8
- Is Earth Science part of the middle school science curriculum (grades 6-8)? Yes. Majority of districts have Earth science course or integrated course with Earth science components.
- Is it taught as a full year curriculum or an integrated curriculum? Determined at the district level.
- At what grade level(s) is Earth science taught? Determined at the district level.
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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 |
Not Available |
Not Available |
Not Available |
Not Available |
B. Enrollment trends in Grade 9-12 Earth science
|
Year |
Percent |
Students |
1996-97 |
26% |
10,632 |
1997-98 |
35% |
14,282 |
1999-00 |
37% |
15,316 |
2003-04 |
Not Available |
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 |
General Science |
Not Available |
Not Available |
Physical Science |
Not Available |
Not Available |
Life Science |
Not Available |
Not Available |
Integrated or Coordinated Science |
Not Available |
Not Available |
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4. K-12 Indicators
|
State |
National |
| Average Freshman Graduation Rate |
86.9% |
73.2% |
| College Enrollment Rate |
60.9% |
68.6% |
| AP Participation Rate |
12.6% |
25% |
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5. Science Standards
- Standards Publication: Iowa Standards and Benchmarks
- Year in which science standards were adopted: 2009
- Are state standards determined at the district level? State law and the State Board of Education have established general requirements and guidelines for school curriculum at all grade levels. Each school district selects own requirements based on State law.
- When will the state standards be revised? N/A
Iowa has a Core Standards and Benchmarks Corresponding to the Iowa Tests document, and has adopted a Core Curriculum (in draft form at this time) which has been mandated by the legislature.
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6. Testing and Assessment
A. State Science Tests
|
Test |
Grade Levels Tested: |
Earth Science Component on the Test? |
Iowa Tests of Basic Skills |
K-8 |
Yes |
Iowa Tests of Educational Development |
9-12 |
Yes |
B. State High School Exit Exam
- Name of Exam:Not Applicable
- Type of Test: Not Applicable
- Does the exam have a science component? Not Applicable.
- At what grade do students first take the exam? Not Applicable
- Is passing the exam a requirement for a diploma? Not Applicable
- Does the exam have an Earth science component?Not Applicable
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7. Textbook Adoptions
- Does the state select or recommend textbooks? No.
- Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: Not Applicable
- Environmental science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: Not Applicable
- Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the middle school level: Not Applicable
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8. State Contact Person
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