1. Certification Requirements
A. Grades 9-12
- Total number of 9-12 teachers with main assignment in science: 1,534
- Total number of science teachers in grades 9-12 with an Earth science assignment: 171
- Percentage of 9-12 science teachers with an Earth science certification: 91%
- Specific licensure requirements for secondary teachers: Major/minor; specifies components in program.
B. Grades 6-8
- Total number of teachers in grades 7-8 with a main assignment in science: 826
- Total number of grades 7-8 science teachers in all assignments: 1,081
- Percentage of middle grade science teachers certified in science: 98%
- Specific licensure requirements for middle school teachers: Major/minor; 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: 1 course in Biology is required. By 2015 physics or chemistry will be required
- Is an Earth science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? There is no required statewide curriculum, so the Earth science standards are required for all students 9-12, but how districts go about delivering those standards (integrated vs. a single course) is up to them to decide.
- Is Earth science part of another course required for high school graduation? Yes. Earth science can be part of an integrated science course
- If Earth science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements? Yes, it would count as one of the three required credits just like any science course.
- 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)? There is no required statewide curriculum, so the earth science standards are required for all students 6-8, but how districts go about delivering those standards (integrated vs. a single course) is up to them to decide. A typical sequence in middle school is 7th grade life science and 8th grade earth science.
- 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? 8th.
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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 |
14% |
52% |
95% |
21% |
B. Enrollment trends in Grade 9-12 Earth science
|
Year |
Percent |
Students |
1996-97 |
10% |
6,857 |
1997-98 |
7% |
4,814 |
1999-00 |
10% |
7,122 |
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 |
35,756
(27%) |
Not Available
(29%) |
General Science |
Not Available |
Not Available |
Physical Science |
15,891
(12%) |
Not Available
(7%) |
Life Science |
45,026
(34%) |
Not Available
(40%) |
Integrated or Coordinated Science |
Not Available |
Not Available
(4%) |
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4. K-12 Indicators
|
State |
National |
| Average Freshman Graduation Rate |
86.2% |
73.2% |
| College Enrollment Rate |
67.8% |
68.6% |
| AP Participation Rate |
22.5% |
25% |
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5. Science Standards
- Standards Publication: Minnesota Academic Standards
- Year in which science standards were adopted: 2009
- Are state standards determined at the district level?No
- When will the state standards be revised? Final draft of current revisions is to be completed in February 2009.
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6. Testing and Assessment
A. State Science Tests
|
Test |
Grade Levels Tested: |
Earth Science Component on the Test? |
MCA-II for grade 5 |
Standards for grades 3-5 covered |
Yes |
MCA-II for grade 8 |
Standards for grades 6-8 covered |
Yes |
MCA-II for high school |
Life science and Histor and Nature of Science standards for 9-12 are covered |
Yes |
B. State High School Exit Exam
- Name of Exam: No
- Type of Test: N/A
- Does the exam have a science component? No.
- At what grade do students first take the exam? N/A
- Is passing the exam a requirement for a diploma? N/A
- 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: 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
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8. State Contact Person
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