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: Complete an approved program; as three New York State Teacher Certification Examinations; major required
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: Complete an approved program; as three New York State Teacher Certification Examinations; major required.
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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 lab unit.
Each of the three science courses that are required must contain a lab component. Students are required to take one Regents Science course which has a requirement of 1200 lab minutes in addition to the 180 minutes of class time per week. Students must also take and pass a Science regents examination.
- Is an Earth science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? Schools can choose to have the required Regents course in Earth Science or they can offer an elective in Ear science as one of the three science courses. The elective Earth Science course could have a variety of titles, such as Planet earth and Global Science, etc.
- Is Earth science part of another course required for high school graduation? As stated above, this could be offered as an elective science by individual schools to meet their 3 science course requirement.
- 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? This again can be offered as an elective to fulfill the 3 course requirement for a New York State endorsed high school diploma. Many schools have opted to offer an Environmental course and again this takes many forms – one semester courses, full year courses. Horticulture, sustainability, ecology are some of the course titles that are offered in our high schools.
- Is Environmental science part of another course required for high school graduation? The Regents Living Environment course has Unit 3 - Ecology
- If Environmental science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements? Yes, the course would count as one two of the elective sciences needed to complete the three units.
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? Integrated.
- At what grade level(s) is Earth science taught? 6th-8th.
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3. K-12 Enrollment
A. Percent of Grade 9 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
|
Year |
Percent |
Students |
1996-97 |
67% |
162,091 |
1997-98 |
67% |
164,364 |
1999-00 |
75% |
189,648 |
2003-04 |
Not Available |
Not Available |
C. Students in grades 7-8 enrolled in selected science courses
|
1999-2000 |
2003-2004 |
Course |
Students
(Percentage) |
Students
(Percentage) |
Earth Science |
49,075
(12%) |
Not Available |
General Science |
49,075
(12%) |
Not Available |
Physical Science |
134,957
(33%) |
Not Available |
Life Science |
98,150
(24%) |
Not Available |
Integrated or Coordinated Science |
32,717
(8%) |
Not Available |
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4. K-12 Indicators
|
State |
National |
| Average Freshman Graduation Rate |
67.4% |
73.2% |
| College Enrollment Rate |
75% |
68.6% |
| AP Participation Rate |
35.4% |
25% |
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5. Science Standards
- Standards Publication: New York State Learning Standards
- Year in which science standards were adopted: 2000-2001
- Are state standards determined at the district level? Districts adopt the state standards.
- When will the state standards be revised? 2011
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6. Testing and Assessment
A. State Science Tests
|
Test |
Grade Levels Tested: |
Earth Science Component on the Test? |
Regents Earth Science, Chemistry, Physics, Living Enfironment |
9, 10, 11, and 12 |
Yes |
ILSE |
5-8 |
Yes |
ELSE |
K-4 |
Yes |
B. State High School Exit Exam
- Name of Exam: Regents Comprehensive Examinations
- Type of Test: Multiple Choice, short answer, and free response
- Does the exam have a science component? Yes.
- At what grade do students first take the exam? 9
- Is passing the exam a requirement for a diploma? Yes.
- Does the exam have an Earth science component? Yes.
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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: Not Available.
- Environmental science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: Not Available.
- Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the middle school level: Not Available.
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8. State Contact Person
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