1. Certification Requirements

A. Grades 9-12

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

B. Grades 6-8

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

2. Course Requirements

A. Grades 9-12

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

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. Integrated at 6th grade; Full year at 8th grade
At what grade level(s) is Earth science taught? 8th.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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