a. What is the period of validity for an educator s license? Less than 5 years 5 years X 3 Greater than 5 years

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1 I. Teacher Preparation A. Elementary School Licensure Requirements 1. Licensure Grade Levels 1 a. Does the state offer an Early Elementary Education credential (Preschool/Kindergarten to Grade 2/3)? b. Does the state offer an Elementary Education credential (Kindergarten/Grade 1 to Grade 5/6)? 2. Early Elementary Elementary Education (Grades K-6) a. Is an educational practice examination required for licensure? N/A b. Is an examination in reading and writing or language arts required for licensure? N/A c. Is a mathematics examination required for licensure? N/A d. Is a science examination required for licensure? N/A 3. Elementary Education 2 a. Is an educational practice examination required for licensure? b. Is an examination in reading and writing or language arts required for licensure? c. Is a mathematics examination required for licensure? d. Is a science examination required for licensure? 4. Licensure Renewal a. What is the period of validity for an educator s license? Less than 5 years 5 years 3 Greater than 5 years b. Can in-service teachers receive certification credit for professional development courses/programs in Earth and Space Sciences? Teachers can receive CPU Local issue credits or PD points in courses or programs for Earth and Space Sciences. 4 B. Elementary School Curriculum Support 1. Guidelines for Curriculum Development a. Does the SEA provide guidelines for curriculum development, beyond the state s science standards?

2 b. If yes, which of the following does the state provide? 1. Science frameworks 2. Curriculum maps 3. Learning progressions 4. Benchmark maps 5. Templates for unit design 6. Curriculum development guides 7. Model units 8. Lesson plan templates/guides 9. Web-based lesson plan portals CPALMS is an on-line toolbox for Florida teachers Model lesson plans 11. Assessment guidelines 2. Instructional Materials 6 a. At what level does adoption of instructional materials occur? State level Local level b. If the state is an adoption state, do adopted materials in science include those that address topics specific to the geosciences? Adopted materials are state-specific general science titles. The last adoption for science was in Elementary science program titles indicate general science programs, e.g. Discovery Education Science for Elementary. 3 of the 4 titles listed are FL specific. If they are aligned to FL standards than they need to cover geoscience topics. 3. Support for New Standards a. Does that state provide resources to school systems to effectively implement the standards as they change? 4. Professional Development 7 Local issue a. Does the SEA provide professional development that is, at least in part, specific to the geosciences?, provided by SEA, but independent of SEA Local issue Geosciences PD is offered by the SEA through online PD course. Teacher support tools to implement the Florida Standards are accessible to all teachers in Florida through CPALMS. CPALMS offers Florida teachers numerous on-line professional development courses, including Science K-2 and Science 3-5. In each course, teachers create lesson plans linked to the Big Ideas in Earth and Space Science.

3 II. Curriculum A. Elementary School State Science Standards 1. Organization 8 a. What is the name of the state s elementary school science standards? 2008 Science Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) b. What is the grade-level arrangement of the standards? Grade specific Grade-level bands Benchmark grade levels c. How are the standards outlined? Overarching standard statements (level one) Sub-standard statements that provide more detail to the overarching standards (level two) d. What terms are used to identify each level? Content Standards Benchmarks 2. Content 8 a. Are the science standards subdivided according to scientific discipline (Physical Science, Life Science, and Earth and Space Science)? b. Are the Earth and Space Science standards identified by core ideas in the geosciences? c. Do the state s standards include current issues in the geosciences? Current issues in the geosciences can be described as Earth science processes altered by human activities or Earth science processes that affect human well-being. d. Do the state s standards include career exploration in the geosciences? Florida standards refer to each as a Body of Knowledge Core Ideas are labeled Big Ideas There are 3 geoscience Big Ideas: - Earth in Space and Time - Earth Structures - Earth Systems and Patterns There is no investigation of current issues at the K-3 levels. A 4th grade benchmark asks students to examine the effects of space research on the economy and culture of FL. A 5th grade benchmark asks students to identify natural resources specific to FL.

4 3. Development a. When were the standards adopted or last revised? Within the last two years ( ) February, Between 3-6 years ago ( ) Between 7-10 years ago ( ) More than 10 years ago (before 2006) b. Does the state have plans to review/revise its science standards? Currently under review Within the next 5 years ( ) Between 5 and 10 years from now ( ) plan or timeline exists change is planned at this time. Currently the Math and ELA standards are being implemented and take precedent over the science standards. 4 B. Middle School State Science Standards 1. Content 8 a. What is the name of the state s middle school science standards? 2008 Science Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) b. Are Earth and Space Science topics included in the standards? c. Is Life Science and Physical Science content included in the standards? C. High School State Science Standards 1. Content 8 a. What is the name of the state s high school science standards? 2008 Science Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) b. Are Earth and Space Science topics included in the standards? c. Is Life Science and Physical Science content included in the standards? D. High School Course Requirements 1. Credits Required for Graduation 9 a. What is the total number of credits required for graduation? 24 b. What is the number of science credits required for graduation? 3

5 2. Course Content 9 a. Is Life Science required? b. Is Physical Science required? c. Is Earth Science required? d. Is Environmental Science required? e. Is Earth Science accepted? t stated f. Does Earth Science have to be lab-based? t stated

6 III. Instruction A. Elementary School Approaches to Instruction 1. State Science Standards 8 a. Do the state s science standards provide guidelines regarding any specific approach to be used for science teaching? b. If so, what is the term used to identify this approach? Inquiry c. Do the state s science standards provide a rationale for this approach? d. If so, what is the rationale? As a 21st century skill and readiness competency. 2. Guidelines for Curriculum Planning a. If the state offers guidelines for curriculum planning, do these advocate more specific strategies for science instruction? b. If so, what are the strategies? N/A 3. Technology 8 a. Are decisions regarding the use of technology in elementary science classrooms made at the state level or local level? b. What kinds of technology are being used by elementary school science teachers in the state? Local level CPALMS, FL s on-line toolbox, includes webaccessed videos, animations and graphics that are aligned to FL standards and benchmarks. Most (all?) of these are links to other sites (e.g. NASA, BBC).

7 IV. Learning Contexts A. Elementary School Classrooms 1. Class Size 10 a. What is the average number of students in an elementary classroom? b. What is the maximum allowable number of students in an elementary classroom? School Level Class Size Average PK-3: School Level Class Size Average 4-8: Instructional Time 4 a. At the elementary level, are teachers recommended or required to dedicate a certain amount of instructional time to science? There is no time requirement Local decision Teachers must spend a certain amount of time teaching science. required time for science instruction on a daily basis is mandated or suggested by the state. Local districts can determine how to address the course descriptions for science at each grade level. Course descriptions must be taught. Districts decide how they will be implemented. Some districts choose to teach science daily, other districts every other day or some infuse science in reading and math with no set time for teaching science separately. The instructional time varies from minutes for districts holding science classes. B. Elementary School Support Services 1. Specialized Support 4 a. Are there specific policies in place regarding English as a Second Language (ESL) and Special Education services that could impact science instruction (e.g. pull-out or push-in models)? Local level decision Depends on the specifications of a student s IEP or ILP Teachers must follow specific practices regarding science Students are pulled from specials and not from content classes like science.

8 V. Extra-Curricular Programs A. Elementary School Geosciences Enrichment Opportunities 1. After-School and Informal Education 4 a. Are opportunities to engage in geoscience-related topics outside of school (e.g. after-school programs and informal education programs) being offered to students in the state? b. If so, what are they? If schools have the funding students may participate in science activities at planetariums or science centers. 2. Remedial Education 4 a. What remedial supports are in place for geosciences topics with which students are struggling? Local level decision Remediation services are being provided to students in science remediation support in science Remediation is required for science. Districts use Gizmo, an online science simulation program for struggling science students.

9 VI. Monitoring Systems A. Elementary School Statewide Science Assessment 1. Structure and Content a. What is the name of the statewide standardized test in science at the elementary level? b. At what grade(s) is the assessment implemented? 5 11 c. Does the statewide science assessment measure achievement of the state s 12 standards, i.e. is the assessment aligned with state standards? d. Is the content of the statewide science assessment sub-divided by 12 discipline, namely Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science? Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test 2.0 (FCAT 2.0) 11 e. Are there any plans for revising or changing the current elementary level science assessment? plans for revision Revision is planned, but timeline is unknown Revision is planned with implementation date set Science assessment will change when Next Generation Standards are implemented Results 13 a. Is student achievement measured by Performance Level Descriptors? b. If yes, how many performance levels are there? 5 3. District Level Reporting 14 a. At the district level, are the percentages of students performing at each PLD reported to the public? b. At the district level, is student achievement reported according to scientific discipline (Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences)? c. If yes, is this data available to the public? Results are reported according to Content Area: -Nature of Science -Earth and Space Science -Physical Science -Life Science

10 4. State Level Reporting 15 a. At the state level, are the percentages of students performing at each PLD reported to the public? b. At the state level, is student achievement reported according to scientific discipline (Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences)? c. If yes, is this data available to the public? There are 4 reporting categories on the exam: 1. Nature of Science (10 points) 2. Earth and Space Science (16 points) 3. Physical Science (16 points) 4. Life Science (14 points) B. Elementary School International Assessments in Science 1. TIMSS 16 a. Has the state participated in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)? b. If yes, in which years did the state participate? C. Middle School Statewide Science Assessment 1. Structure and Content 17 a. What is the name of the statewide standardized test in science at the middle school level? Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test 2.0 (FCAT 2.0) b. At what grade(s) is the assessment implemented? 8 c. Does the assessment address Life Science concepts? d. Does the assessment address Life Science concepts? e. Does the assessment address Earth Science concepts? C. High School Statewide Science Assessment(s) 1. Structure and Content 17 a. What is the name of the state s standardized science assessment(s)? NGSSS End-of-Course Assessments Biology b. At what grade level is the assessment implemented? End-of-Course c. Does the assessment address Life Science concepts? d. Does the assessment address Physical Science concepts? e. Does the assessment address Earth Science concepts?

11 VII. Accountability A. School Level 1. Individual Student 18 a. Does the state produce an Individual Student Report (ISR) that describes a student s performance on the state s science assessment? b. Is the ISR made available to a student s parents or guardians? c. Is the ISR made available to a student s teacher? d. Does the ISR report student s performance in terms of scale score and achievement level? e. Does the ISR subdivide results by science discipline (Physical Science, Life Science, Earth and Space Science)? 2. Teacher Appraisal 4 Schools provide a Student Report to parents/guardians. This report describes an individual student s performance on statewide assessments in terms of scale score and proficiency level. Grade 5 reports include student performance on the science assessment in terms of scale score and proficiency level. In addition, results are subdivided according to Reporting Category. The Reporting Categories for science are: Nature of Science; Earth and Space Science; Physical Science; Life Science Teachers receive a School Report of Students. This report provides teachers with all students results within each grade at a school. Results are reported for each subject, e.g. Science, Mathematics, Language Arts. The results on the Science assessment are provided as a percent correct for each reporting category: Nature of Science; Earth and Space Science; Physical Science; Life Science a. Are students results on the statewide science assessment a component of teacher evaluation? B. District Level 1. District Accreditation a. Are student outcomes in statewide science assessments at the elementary level part of accreditation of public schools at the district level? At a future point Local decision

12 C. State Level 1. Statewide Monitoring 4 a. Are student outcomes in statewide science assessments at the elementary level used in monitoring the adequacy of state educational systems? 2. Trends in Student Outcomes 19 Science assessments are reviewed at a state level and at district levels. a. Does the SEA report to the public performance results on the state science assessment over time? b. If yes, how many years of achievement data are available? 3 years ( to ) 3 years of data ( ) 4-7 years ( to ) 8 to 10 years ( to ) 11 or more years (before ) c. Are the results also subdivided by science discipline (Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences)? 1 Florida Department of Education, Educator Certification, Administrative Rule 6A , Specialization Requirements for Elementary Education (Grades K-6) Academic Class: 2 Florida Teacher Certification Examinations, Test Information Guide for Elementary Education K-6, Third Edition, Florida Department of Education, 2009: 3 Florida Department of Education, Educator Certification, General Certification Requirements, Moving From the Temporary to the Professional Certificate: 4 Florida Department of Education (personal communication). 5 CPALMS, Browse and Search Standards: 6 Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Curriculum and Instruction, Historical Adoptions, Adoption Year, (Science): 7 CPALMS PD Programs, Browse and Search PD Programs: 8 CPALMS: 9 The Florida Legislature, Online Sunshine, The 2014 Florida Statutes: 10 Florida Department of Education, Class Size Reduction, Averages, Traditional Schools, District Averages Traditional Schools, Class Size Averages and FTE/Classes Over Cap, PDF: 11 Florida Department of Education, Bureau of K-12 Assessment, FCAT 2.0 Reading, Mathematics, Science, and Writing Fact Sheet, February 2014: 12 Florida Department of Education, Bureau of K-12 Assessment, FCAT 2.0 Content Focus Report, 2014:

13 13 Florida Department of Education, Bureau of K-12 Assessment, 2014 Florida Statewide Assessment Scores, Additional Resources and Reports, FCAT 2.0 Fact Sheet, PDF: 14 Florida Department of Education, Bureau of K-12 Assessment, 2014 Florida Statewide Assessment Scores, Science, State and District Scores for All Curriculum Groups, Grade 5, Excel Spreadsheet: 15 Florida Department of Education, Bureau of K-12 Assessment, FCAT 2.0 Content Focus Report, Science, U.S. Dept. of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), State and District Participation in TIMSS: 17 Florida Department of Education, Accountability, Assessments, K-12 Students Assessment, FCAT 2.0: 18 Florida Department of Education, Understanding FCAT 2.0 Reports, Spring 2014, PDF: 19 Florida Department of Education, Accountability, Assessments, K-12 Student Assessment, Results: