1. Certification Requirements
A. Grades 9-12
- Total number of 9-12 teachers with main assignment in science: 2,365
- Total number of science teachers in grades 9-12 with an Earth science assignment: 120
- Percentage of 9-12 science teachers with an Earth science certification: 79%
- Specific licensure requirements for secondary teachers: State licensure standards in major.
B. Grades 6-8
- Total number of teachers in grades 7-8 with a main assignment in science: 1,384
- Total number of grades 7-8 science teachers in all assignments: 1,392
- Percentage of middle grade science teachers certified in science:86%
- Specific licensure requirements for middle school teachers: State licensure standards in major.
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2. Course Requirements
A. Grades 9-12
- Number of science credits required for high school graduation: 3.
- Required science courses: Biology, Chemistry or Physics and an additional laboratory science course
- Is an Earth science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? No.
- Is Earth science part of another course required for high school graduation? No.
- 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? No
- Is Environmental science part of another course required for high school graduation? Yes.
- If Environmental science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements? Yes.
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. Mainly integrated.
- At what grade level(s) is Earth science taught? 6th and 7th.
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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 |
5% |
62% |
95% |
11% |
B. Enrollment trends in Grade 9-12 Earth science
|
Year |
Percent |
Students |
1996-97 |
Not Available |
Not Available |
1997-98 |
Not Available |
Not Available |
1999-00 |
7% |
5,229 |
2003-04 |
5% |
Not Available |
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 |
General Science |
121,186
(90%) |
Not Available
(97%) |
Physical Science |
Not Available |
Not Available |
Life Science |
Not Available |
Not Available |
Integrated or Coordinated Science |
Not Available |
Not Available |
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4. K-12 Indicators
|
State |
National |
| Average Freshman Graduation Rate |
70.6% |
73.2% |
| College Enrollment Rate |
64.2% |
68.6% |
| AP Participation Rate |
16.5% |
25% |
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5. Science Standards
- Standards Publication: Curriculum Standards for Subjects/Content With State Tests
- Year in which science standards were adopted: 2008
- Are state standards determined at the district level? Districts adopt the state standards.
- When will the state standards be revised? No schedule for revision.
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6. Testing and Assessment
A. State Science Tests
|
Test |
Grade Levels Tested: |
Earth Science Component on the Test? |
3-8 Achievement Test |
3-8 |
Yes |
B. State High School Exit Exam
- Name of Exam: Gateway Examinations
- Type of Test: Standards based
- Does the exam have a science component? Yes. Biology
- At what grade do students first take the exam?10
- Is passing the exam a requirement for a diploma? Yes
- Does the exam have an Earth science component? No.
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7. Textbook Adoptions
- Does the state select or recommend textbooks? Select. State creates recommended list and then districts choose books.
- Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: Earth Science; Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science; Glencoe Earth Science: Geology; It's About Time: EarthComm; Holt: Modern Earth Science; McDougal: Earth Science; Prentice Hall: Earth Science Tarbuck.
- Environmental science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: Glencoe: Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationships, 2002; Prentice Hall Environmental Science; Thom: Living in the Environment: Principles
- Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the middle school level: Delta: MSCI; Glencoe Science; Glencoe Science Flexible 15 book series; Holt Science and Technology; It's About Time: Investigating Earth Systems; Prentice Hall Science Explorer; Prentice Hall Science Explorer Series.
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8. State Contact Person
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