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1. Certification Requirements
A. Grades 9-12
- Total number of 9-12 teachers with main assignment in science: 1,728
- Total number of science teachers in grades 9-12 with an Earth science assignment: 242
- Percentage of 9-12 science teachers with an Earth science certification: 95%
- Specific licensure requirements for secondary teachers: Competence based on job-related objectives.
B. Grades 6-8
- Total number of teachers in grades 7-8 with a main assignment in science: 725
- Total number of grades 7-8 science teachers in all assignments: 725
- Percentage of middle grade science teachers certified in science: 92%
- Specific licensure requirements for middle school teachers: Competence based on job-related objectives.
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2. Course Requirements
A. Grades 9-12
- Number of science credits required for high school graduation: 3 for students who are on a non-professional path, 4 for students on the professional path (college entrance)
- Required science courses: As of July 2008, entering freshmen will need- Physical Science, Biology or Conceptual Biology and one other Science course (non professional path) or two other science courses (professional path).
- Is an Earth science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? No, however, objectives that address earth science concepts are embedded in the K-8 curriculum, and in the 9th grade Physical Science course.
- 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, at this time it will count as a third science; in two years, it will count as an elective.
- Is an Environmental science course included in the recommended high school science curriculum? No, however, objectives that address environmental science concepts are embedded in the K-8 curriculum, and in the 9th grade Physical Science course.
- Is Environmental science part of another course required for high school graduation? No.
- If Environmental science is taken, does it count towards graduation requirements? Some local areas (counties/school districts) may offer environmental science as an elective.
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? Integrated.
- At what grade level(s) is Earth science taught? 6th-8th.
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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 |
3% |
17% |
17% |
11% |
B. Enrollment trends in Grade 9-12 Earth science
|
Year |
Percent |
Students |
1996-97 |
2% |
520 |
1997-98 |
3% |
754 |
1999-00 |
1% |
239 |
2003-04 |
3% |
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 |
Not Available |
Not Available |
Physical Science |
Not Available |
Not Available |
Life Science |
Not Available |
Not Available |
Integrated or Coordinated Science |
43,073
(96%) |
Not Available
(100%) |
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4. K-12 Indicators
|
State |
National |
| Average Freshman Graduation Rate |
76.9% |
73.2% |
| College Enrollment Rate |
57.9% |
68.6% |
| AP Participation Rate |
15.3% |
25% |
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5. Science Standards
- Standards Publication: Content Standards and Objectives Policies
- Year in which science standards were adopted: 2008
- Are state standards determined at the district level? State level.
- When will the state standards be revised? As needed.
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6. Testing and Assessment
A. State Science Tests
|
Test |
Grade Levels Tested: |
Earth Science Component on the Test? |
WESTEST |
3-11 |
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? The state recommends a list of books for counties to choose from. If counties want to choose a different book, they request a waiver and propose a different book. The site will allow you to see the books that have been adopted by each county.
Textbooks are considered to be resources. Teachers are encouraged to use multiple resources to teach the content of the CSOs. Example of resources can be found on the Teach21 site, click the Curriculum link, a textbox will indicate links for Instructional Guides, Units, or Problem Based Learning lessons, etc.
- Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: See above.
- Environmental science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the high school level: This is an elective course that the state does not provide objectives for , objectives can be written and approved on a local level if the course will be taught in that area.
- Earth science textbook(s)/program(s) used in the state at the middle school level: Not applicable- Coordinated and Thematic (general) Science is taught in grades K-8.
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9. State Contact Person
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