Printable Version

---

1. Certification Requirements

A. Grades 9-12

1. Total number of 9-12 teachers with main assignment in science: 205
2. Total number of science teachers in grades 9-12 with an Earth science assignment: 25
3. Percentage of 9-12 science teachers with an Earth science certification: 100%
4. Specific licensure requirements for secondary teachers: 26 hours professional prep.; major/minor required.

B. Grades 6-8

1. Total number of teachers in grades 7-8 with a main assignment in science: 122
2. Total number of grades 7-8 science teachers in all assignments: 351
3. Percentage of middle grade science teachers certified in science: 35%
4. Specific licensure requirements for middle school teachers: 26 hours professional prep.; major/minor required.

Back to top

---

2. Course Requirements

A. Grades 9-12

1. Number of science credits required for high school graduation: 2 credits
2. Required science courses: State does not have a requirements in this category. Determined at the district level
3. Is an Earth science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? Not specified in state law, locally determined, based on state standards.
4. Is Earth science part of another course required for high school graduation? Not specified in state law, locally determined, based on state standards.
5. If Earth science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements?  Not specified in state law, locally determined, based on state standards.
6. Is an Environmental science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? Yes, An ecology course is offered in some districts.
7. Is Environmental science part of another course required for high school graduation? Not specified in state law, locally determined, based on state standards.
8.  If Environmental science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements?   Presumably, not specified in state law, locally determined. 

B. Grades 6-8

1. Is Earth Science part of the middle school science curriculum (grades 6-8)?  Yes.
2. Is it taught as a full year curriculum or an integrated curriculum?  Both.  Integrated at 6th grade; Full year at 8th grade
3. At what grade level(s) is Earth science taught? 8th.

Back to top

---

3. K-12 Enrollment

A. Percent of Grade 9 students enrolled in selected courses

Course	Earth science	Chemistry	Biology	Physics
Percent	1%	58%	95%	22%

B. Enrollment trends in Grade 9-12 Earth science

Year	Percent	Students
1996-97	3%	307
1997-98	3%	302
1999-00	4%	387
2003-04	1%	Not Available

C. Students in grades 7-8 enrolled in selected science courses

	1999-2000	2003-2004
Course	Students (Percentage)	Students (Percentage)
Earth Science	8,913 (50%)	Not Available (49%)
General Science	Not Available	Not Available
Physical Science	Not Available	Not Available
Life Science	8,557 (48%)	Not Available (48%)
Integrated or Coordinated Science	Not Available	Not Available

Back to top

---

4. K-12 Indicators

	State	National
Average Freshman Graduation Rate	82.1%	73.2%
College Enrollment Rate	71.9%	68.6%
AP Participation Rate	10.4%	25%

Back to top

---

5. Science Standards

• Standards Publication: North Dakota Curriculum Content Standards
• Year in which science standards were adopted: 2006
• Are state standards determined at the district level? Districts write their own standards and use the state standards as a guideline.
• When will the state standards be revised?  2011

Back to top

---

6.Testing and Assessment

A. State Science Tests

Test	Grade Levels Tested:	Earth Science Component on the Test?
ND State Assessment	4, 8, and 12	Yes

B. State High School Exit Exam

1. Name of Exam: Not Applicable
2. Type of Test: Not Applicable
3. Does the exam have a science component? Not Applicable
4. At what grade do students first take the exam? Not Applicable
5. Is passing the exam a requirement for a diploma? Not Applicable.
6. Does the exam have an Earth science component? Not Applicable

Back to top

---

7. Textbook Adoptions

• Does the state select or recommend textbooks? No. Districts decide, no state recommendations.
• 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

Back to top

---

8. State Contact Person

Greg Gallagher	Director of Standards and Achievement
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 201 Bismarck, North Dakota 58505-0440	ggallagher@state.nd.us 701-328-1838

Back to top