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: 1,899
Total number of science teachers in grades 9-12 with an Earth science assignment: 199
Percentage of 9-12 science teachers with an Earth science certification: 86%
Specific licensure requirements for secondary teachers: Approved program plus 30 hours in content area. Subject area degree.

B. Grades 6-8

Total number of teachers in grades 7-8 with a main assignment in science: 1,172
Total number of grades 7-8 science teachers in all assignments: 1,430
Percentage of middle grade science teachers certified in science: 89%
Specific licensure requirements for middle school teachers: Approved program plus 30 hours in content area.

A. Grades 9-12

Number of science credits required for high school graduation: 3
Required science courses: Biology.
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? No.
Is an Environmental science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? Yes, if at the level of a Biology, Chemistry or Physics course.
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, if at the level of a Biology, Chemistry or Physics course.

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? Both. Subject to local curriculum design.
At what grade level(s) is Earth science taught? 6th-8th, district choice if a full year program or integrated

A. Percent of Grade 9-12 students enrolled in selected courses

Course	Earth science	Chemistry	Biology	Physics
Percent	11%	46%	95%	14%

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	30,625 (22%)	Not Available (17%)
General Science	58,466 (42%)	Not Available (50%)
Physical Science	6,960 (5%)	Not Available (3%)
Life Science	37,585 (27%)	Not Available (24%)
Integrated or Coordinated Science	Not Available	Not Available

	State	National
Average Freshman Graduation Rate	81%	73.2%
College Enrollment Rate	57.7%	68.6%
AP Participation Rate	10.8%	25%

Standards Publication: Grade Level Expectations
Year in which science standards were adopted: 2008
Are state standards determined at the district level? Districts adopt the state standards.
When will the state standards be revised? CLE�s for Physics, Physical Science, Earth Science and Chemistry are being done at this moment

A. State Science Tests

Test	Grade Levels Tested:	Earth Science Component on the Test?
Missouri Assessment Program (MAP)	5, 8	Yes
End of course- Biology	8-12	No

B. State High School Exit Exam

Missouri does not have an exit exam, students are required to take the science assessments, graduation is not dependent upon the student passing.

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

Shaun Bates

Science Consultant

573-751-0480


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