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: Approved 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: Approved program.
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2. Course Requirements
A. Grades 9-12
- Number of science credits required for high school graduation: 3 (some schools require 4).
- Required science courses (these vary with the school): Most often in VT high schools Earth/Space Science is an elective. Schools struggle with trying to accommodate Bio, Chemistry, Physics and Earth/Space Science into a 3-year requirement; Many of the smaller schools DO have a year of Geology or Earth/Science included in their programs; Some of the larger schools avoid Earth/Space Science or include it as part of an Environmental Science course; A few schools offer an ‘Integrated Science’ course for 9th graders—and that includes basic Earth/Space principles.
- Is an Earth science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? Vermont does not have a state-wide curriculum. Each school determines their own program. State assessment (NECAP) includes Earth/Space Science content within 25% of its items, and this is proving to be an incentive for schools to incorporate this content into their curriculum.
- Is Earth science part of another course required for high school graduation? Earth/Space Science appears as an elective or a portion of Environmental Science in many Vermont high schools.
- 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? Many Vermont schools do include an Environmental Science course and/or the AP Environmental Science option. Again, Vermont does not have a state-wide curriculum. They are working on a program to address the NASA Principals of climate literacy for K-12 science teachers.
- Is Environmental science part of another course required for high school graduation? Environmental science may be an elective for Vermont high school science students.
- 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? Usually integrated with other content or as science kit instruction (e.g. STC’s Land and Water, or Rock Cycle).
- At what grade level(s) is Earth science taught? 6th-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 |
Not Available |
Not Available |
Not Available |
Not Available |
B. Enrollment trends in Grade 9-12 Earth science
|
Year |
Percent |
Students |
1996-97 |
Not Available |
Not Available |
1997-98 |
48% |
4,237 |
1999-00 |
37% |
3,237 |
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 |
1,135
(7%) |
Not Available |
General Science |
3,568
(22%) |
Not Available |
Physical Science |
2,595
(16%) |
Not Available |
Life Science |
3,892
(24%) |
Not Available |
Integrated or Coordinated Science |
4,379
(27%) |
Not Available |
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4. K-12 Indicators
|
State |
National |
| Average Freshman Graduation Rate |
82.3% |
73.2% |
| College Enrollment Rate |
54.5% |
68.6% |
| AP Participation Rate |
29% |
25% |
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5. Science Standards
- Standards Publication: Vermont Grade Expectations; Vermont Framework of Standards; NECAP Science Target information (This guide is the basis for science item development for NECAP
Science and teachers use the information as a guide when modifying curriculum.)
- Year in which science standards were adopted: Vermont Grade Expectations; Vermont Framework of Standards (2000)
- Are state standards determined at the district level? State Standards are adopted by state legislature, usually after development by state-wide teacher committees. Each district decides their own emphasis within these standards.
- When will the state standards be revised? Currently Vermont’s Technology Standards and Grade Expectations are being reviewed to determine how they might be integrated within all other content areas. There is currently no date established for the next iteration of the Science Grade Expectations.
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6. Testing and Assessment
A. State Science Tests
|
Test |
Grade Levels Tested: |
Earth Science Component on the Test? |
NECAP Science |
4, 8, 11 |
Yes, 25% |
B.State High SchoolExit 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? The Vermont Department Of Education does not make formal of textbooks, nor is a recommended list of textbooks provided.
- Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: Varies from school to school
- Environmental science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level:Varies from school to school
- Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the middle school level: Varies from school to school
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8. State Contact Person
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