American Geosciences Institute - Serving the Geosciences Since 1948

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: major required in subject area taught.

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: Major required in subject area taught.

A. Grades 9-12

Number of science credits required for high school graduation: 3.
Required science courses: 1 unit of Biology
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? No
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? State requirement lists the general sciences of Earth, Life, and Physical science; it is a Local School System decision as to the sciences offered under those topics.
Is Environmental science part of another course required for high school graduation? Could be part of another Life, Biology, and/or Earth.
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? Local School system decision.
At what grade level(s) is Earth science taught? Local School system decision.

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

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

	State	National
Average Freshman Graduation Rate	79.9%	73.2%
College Enrollment Rate	66.3%	68.6%
AP Participation Rate	37.2%	25%

Standards Publication: Maryland Content Standards
Year in which science standards were adopted: 2008
Are state standards determined at the district level? No
When will the state standards be revised? No definite date, usually a 5 year cycle

A. State Science Tests

Test	Grade Levels Tested:	Earth Science Component on the Test?
Science MSA	5 and 8	Yes
Biology HSA	End of course

B. State High School Exit Exam

Name of Exam: Maryland High School Assessments
Type of Test: Selected Response and brief constructed response
Does the exam have a science component? Yes, biology
At what grade do students first take the exam? varies
Is passing the exam a requirement for a diploma? Yes
Does the exam have an Earth science component? No, the science HAS is a biology assessment.

Does the state select or recommend textbooks? No.
Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: N/A
Environmental science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: N/A
Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the middle school level: N/A

Mary M. Thurlow	Coordinator of Science
Maryland Department of Education 200 West Baltimore Street Baltimore, MD 21201	mthurlow@msde.state.md.us 410-767-0329


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