1. Certification Requirements

A. Grades 9-12

Total number of 9-12 teachers with main assignment in science: 6,036
Total number of science teachers in grades 9-12 with an Earth science assignment: 545
Percentage of 9-12 science teachers with an Earth science certification: N/A
Specific licensure requirements for secondary teachers: Spec. min. number of units in the subject area taught; specifies components to be included in program.

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: Spec. min. number of units in the subject area taught; specifies components to be included in program.

2. Course Requirements

A. Grades 9-12

Number of science credits required for high school graduation: 3
Required science courses: Standards-based-Inquiry, Biology or Chemistry, Physical or Earth & Space
Is an Earth science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum?Districts decide
Is Earth science part of another course required for high school graduation? Yes, districts decide. Courses with Earth science content include Geology, meteorology, oceanography, weather and climate, hydrology.
If Earth science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements? Yes, districts decide.
Is an Environmental science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum?Yes, districts decide.
Is Environmental science part of another course required for high school graduation? Yes, districts decide. It can be part of Environmental Biology
If Environmental science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements? Yes, districts decide.

B. Grades 6-8

Is Earth Science part of the middle school science curriculum (grades 6-8)? Yes, districts decide.
Is it taught as a full year curriculum or an integrated curriculum? Yes, districts decide.
At what grade level(s) is Earth science taught? Districts decide. 6th-8th.

A. Percent of Grade 9 students enrolled in selected courses

Course	Earth science	Chemistry	Biology	Physics
Percent	55%	66&	94%	37%

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	Not Available	Not Available (29%)
General Science	Not Available	Not Available (36%)
Physical Science	Not Available	Not Available (21%)
Life Science	Not Available	Not Available (23%)
Integrated or Coordinated Science	Not Available	Not Available (8%)

	State	National
Average Freshman Graduation Rate	N/A	73.2%
College Enrollment Rate	61.6%	68.6%
AP Participation Rate	17.9%	25%

Standards Publication: Academic Standards
Year in which science standards were adopted: 2002
Are state standards determined at the district level? Yes, districts write their own standards and use the state standards as a guideline.
When will the state standards be revised? Now.

A. State Science Tests

Test	Grade Levels Tested:	Earth Science Component on the Test?
PSSA: Pennsylvania State Testing	4, 8, 11	Yes

B. State High School Exit Exam

Does the state select or recommend textbooks? No.
Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: District level decision.
Environmental science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level:District level decision.
Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the middle school level: District level decision.

Steven Dear	State Science Education Coordinator
Pennsylvania Department of Education 333 Market St. 9th Floor Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333	sdear@state.pa.us 717-783-6598