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1. Certification Requirements
A. Grades 9-12
- Total number of 9-12 teachers with main assignment in science: N/A
- Total number of science teachers in grades 9-12 with an Earth science assignment: N/A
- Percentage of 9-12 science teachers with an Earth science certification: N/A
- Specific licensure requirements for secondary teachers: Completion of a Massachusetts Earth Science 8-12 Approved Program
Possession of a bachelor's degree
Achieve a passing score on the Earth Science subject matter test
Achieve a passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills test
Practicum or Practicum Equivalent Requirements are as follows:
Teacher, Grades 8-12 150 hours; 36 semester hours Subject Matter
B. Grades 6-8
- Total number of teachers in grades 7-8 with a main assignment in science: N/A
- Total number of grades 7-8 science teachers in all assignments: N/A
- Percentage of middle grade science teachers certified in science: N/A
- Specific licensure requirements for middle school teachers: Completion of a Massachusetts Earth Science 8-12 Approved Program
Possession of a bachelor's degree
Achieve a passing score on the Earth Science subject matter test
Achieve a passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills test
Practicum or Practicum Equivalent Requirements are as follows:
Teacher, Grades 5-8 150 hours;36 semester hours Subject Matter
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2. Course Requirements
A. Grades 9-12
- Number of science credits required for high school graduation: Determined at the district level.
- Required science courses: Determined at the district level.
- Is an Earth science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? Determined at the district level.
- 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? Determined at the district level
- 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.
- Is it taught as a full year curriculum or an integrated curriculum? Varies. 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 9-12 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 |
28% |
19,827 |
1997-98 |
30% |
21,677 |
1999-00 |
27% |
20,988 |
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 |
13,260
(9%) |
Not Available |
General Science |
32,412
(22%) |
Not Available |
Physical Science |
14,733
(10%) |
Not Available |
Life Science |
23,572
(16%) |
Not Available |
Integrated or Coordinated Science |
53,038
(36%) |
Not Available |
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4. K-12 Indicators
|
State |
National |
| Average Freshman Graduation Rate |
79.5% |
73.2% |
| College Enrollment Rate |
72.6% |
68.6% |
| AP Participation Rate |
29.2% |
25% |
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5. Science Standards
- Standards Publication: Massachusetts Science and Technology/ Engineering Curriculum (Adobe pdf)
- Year in which science standards were adopted: pre-K-8: 2001; high school: 2006
- Are state standards determined at the district level? Districts adopt the state standards.
- When will the state standards be revised? Starting in 2009—about a 2 year process
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6. Testing and Assessment
A. State Science Tests
|
Test |
Grade Levels Tested: |
Earth Science Component on the Test? |
Grade 5 Science and Technology/Engineering |
5 |
Yes, 30% |
Grade 8 Science and Technology/Engineering |
8 |
Yes, 25% |
4 high school discipline-specific tests: Biology, Chemistry, Introductory Physics, and Technology/Engineering |
9 or 10 |
No |
B. State High School Exit Exam
- Name of Exam: Massachusetts High School exit exam
- Type of Test: Standards based; multiple-choice and open response
- Does the exam have a science component? Yes. Students in the Class of 2010
will need to take and pass one of the following: biology, chemistry,
introductory physics or technology/engineering
- At what grade do students first take the exam? 9 or 10
- 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? No.
- Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: Determined at district level
- Environmental science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: Determined at district level
- Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the middle school level: Determined at district level
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8. State Contact Person
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