1. Certification Requirements
A. Grades 9-12
- Total number of 9-12 teachers with main assignment in science: 177
- Total number of science teachers in grades 9-12 with an Earth science assignment: 39
- Percentage of 9-12 science teachers with an Earth science certification: 100%
- Specific licensure requirements for secondary teachers: Major required; requires a specific min. number of units in subject area taught; specifies component in program.
B. Grades 6-8
- Total number of teachers in grades 7-8 with a main assignment in science: 159
- Total number of grades 7-8 science teachers in all assignments: 456
- Percentage of middle grade science teachers certified in science: 87%
- Specific licensure requirements for middle school teachers: Major required; requires a specific min. number of units in subject area taught; specifies component in program.
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2. Course Requirements
A. Grades 9-12
- Number of science credits required for high school graduation: 2 labs are a must
- Required science courses: State does not have a requirement in this category. 2 lab sciences for graduation. 3 lab sciences needed for University entrance. Courses offered in most districts include Chemistry, Physics, Physical science, Geology, Archeology, and Biology.
- Is an Earth science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? Determined at the district level. Determined at the district level
- Is Earth science part of another course required for high school graduation? No
- If Earth science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements? Earth science counts when lab experience is part of the course. Lab science is defined as an extension of the classroom. Field experience fulfills lab requirement.
- Is an Environmental science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? District decision It is taught in some districts.
- 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. Environmental science can if it has a lab portion.
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? Full Year.
- At what grade level(s) is Earth science taught? 8th.
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3. K-12 Enrollment
A. Percent of Grade 9-12 students enrolled in selected courses
|
Course |
Earth science |
Chemistry |
Biology |
Physics |
Percent |
6% |
58% |
95% |
23% |
C. Enrollment trends in Grade 9 Earth science
|
Year |
Percent |
Students |
1996-97 |
18% |
2,250 |
1997-98 |
17% |
2,100 |
1999-00 |
11% |
1,237 |
2003-04 |
6% |
Not Available |
D. Students in grades 7-8 enrolled in selected science courses
|
1999-2000 |
2003-2004 |
Course |
Students
(Percentage) |
Students
(Percentage) |
Earth Science |
3,353
(16%) |
Not Available
(12%) |
General Science |
12,783
(61%) |
Not Available
(48%) |
Physical Science |
419
(2%) |
Not Available
(6%) |
Life Science |
1,677
(8%) |
Not Available
(12%) |
Integrated or Coordinated Science |
210
(1%) |
Not Available
(26%) |
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4. K-12 Indicators
|
State |
National |
| Average Freshman Graduation Rate |
84.5% |
73.2% |
| College Enrollment Rate |
72.1% |
68.6% |
| AP Participation Rate |
16% |
25% |
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5. Science Standards
- Standards Publication: South Dakota Content Standards
- Year in which science standards were adopted: 2005
- Are state standards determined at the district level? No
- When will the state standards be revised? 2012
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6. Testing and Assessment
A. State Science Tests
|
Test |
Grade Levels Tested: |
Earth Science Component on the Test? |
Dakota State Testing for Educational Progress |
3, 8, and 11 |
Yes |
B. State High School Exit Exam
- Name of Exam: Not Applicable
- Type of Test: Not Applicable
- Does the exam have a science component? Not Applicable
- At what grade do students first take the exam? Not Applicable
- Is passing the exam a requirement for a diploma? Not Applicable.
- Does the exam have an Earth science component? Not Applicable.
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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: 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
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8. State Contact Person
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