American Geosciences Institute - Serving the Geosciences Since 1948

1. Certification Requirements

A. Grades 9-12

Total number of 9-12 teachers with main assignment in science: 2,124
Total number of science teachers in grades 9-12 with an Earth science assignment: 143
Percentage of 9-12 science teachers with an Earth science certification: 100%
Specific licensure requirements for secondary teachers: Specifies components in program; major/minor required.

B. Grades 6-8

Total number of teachers in grades 7-8 with a main assignment in science: 1,019
Total number of grades 7-8 science teachers in all assignments: 1,161
Percentage of middle grade science teachers certified in science: 100%
Specific licensure requirements for middle school teachers: Specifies components in program; major/minor required.

A. Grades 9-12

Number of science credits required for high school graduation: 2.
Required science courses: 2 credits in science with instruction in Biological and Physical sciences.
Is an Earth science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? Determined at the district level.
Is Earth science part of another course required for high school graduation? Yes. It can be integrated.
If Earth science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements? Determined at the district level.
Is an Environmental science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? Determined at the district level
Is Environmental science part of another course required for high school graduation? Yes. Environmental science concepts can be infused throughout all science courses.
If Environmental science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements? Yes. Determined at the district level.

B. Grades 6-8

Is Earth Science part of the middle school science curriculum (grades 6-8)? Yes- district choose the science students are to receive.
Is it taught as a full year curriculum or an integrated curriculum? Both.
At what grade level(s) is Earth science taught? Up to each district.

A. Percent of Grade 9 students enrolled in selected courses

Course	Earth science	Chemistry	Biology	Physics
Percent	21%	72%	95%	31%

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	21,597 (16%)	Not Available (17%)
General Science	56,692 (42%)	Not Available (46%)
Physical Science	8,099 (6%)	Not Available (7%)
Life Science	28,346 (21%)	Not Available (19%)
Integrated or Coordinated Science	1,350 (1%)	Not Available (3%)

	State	National
Average Freshman Graduation Rate	87.5%	73.2%
College Enrollment Rate	61%	68.6%
AP Participation Rate	24.2%	25%

Standards Publication: Wisconsin Model Academic Standards
Year in which science standards were adopted: 1996
Are state standards determined at the district level? Districts write their own standards and use the state standards as a guideline.
When will the state standards be revised? 2010-2011

A. State Science Tests

Test	Grade Levels Tested:	Earth Science Component on the Test?
Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts of Examinations (WKCE)	4, 8, and 10	Yes

B. State High School Exit Exam

Does the state select or recommend textbooks? No. Local decision
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

Shelley Lee	Science Consultant
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction 125 S. Webster St. PO Box 7841 Madison, WI 53707-7841	Shelley.lee@dpi.state.wi.us 608-266-3319


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