Four by Four

1. Four by Four What it means for you!

2. Graduation Plans • Recommended (general population) requires 26 credits (two credits added in math and science) • Distinguished (Advanced High School Program) at least 26 credits must be earned (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and 4th course – no IPC accepted starting for 2006 9th graders) • Minimum plan requires IPC and Biology.

3. Old: 3 credits, One of which must be Biology (and /or AP/IB) Two of which are selected from IPC Chemistry, IB or AP Chemistry Physics, AP or IB Physics, or Principles of Technology I New: 4 credits, One of which must be Biology (and /or AP/IB Biology) Three of which are selected from a list of options that will include IPC until SY 2011-2012 Old and New RHSP- Science

4. Old: 3 credits of science. One credit must be a biology credit (Biology, Advanced Placement (AP) Biology, or International Baccalaureate (IB) Biology). Students must choose the remaining two credits from the following areas. Not more than one credit may be chosen from each of the areas to satisfy this requirement. Students on the Recommended High School Program are encouraged to take courses in biology, chemistry, and physics to complete the science requirements. Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC); Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry; and Physics, Principles of Technology I, AP Physics, or IB Physics. New: 4 credits of science, which must consist of a biology credit (Biology, Advanced Placement (AP) Biology, or International Baccalaureate (IB) Biology), a chemistry credit (Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry), a physics credit (Physics, AP Physics, or IB Physics), and an additional approved laboratory-based science course . (Note the deletion of Principles of Technology here). After successful completion of a biology course, a chemistry course, and a physics course, a student may select the fourth required credit from any of the following lab-based courses: DAP- Old and New

5. What about IPC? • IPC will no longer satisfy the science requirements in the RHSP after school year 2011-2012 • Students on the RHSP and DAP could continue to take the course for state elective credit • As of now, it remains an option for students on the Minimum Plan • IPC will no longer satisfy the science requirements in the DAP, effective SY 2007-2008– no phase-out • The SBOE will be reviewing a “grandfather” clause for last year’s eighth grade students following their DAP

6. New RHSP- Science When IPC is phased out as a science credit for the Recommended High School Plan, all students must select: • One credit from Biology, AP or IB Biology • Two credits from • Chemistry, IB or AP Chemistry • Physics, AP or IB Physics, or Principles of Technology I • A fourth credit from the following list:

7. Newly named SBOE courses with a prerequisite of Biology, Chemistry and Physics Earth and Space Science which will replace GMO Engineering The SBOE has directed TEKS for these courses. RHSP- Science, 4th yr

8. Allowable fourth year science credit courses: Chemistry Physics Under the RHSP a student might be able to take a physics or chemistry course for the fourth science credit until the phase-out of IPC in the RHSP in 2011-2012 Astronomy Aquatic Science Environmental Systems RHSP- Science, 4th yr

9. Also fourth year credit courses include: Advanced Placement Biology Advanced Placement Chemistry Advanced Placement Physics Advanced Placement Environmental Science (If students have chosen AP science courses to fulfill the core science requirements, they may not take the TEKS-based science courses for the fourth credit.) Dual Credit college science courses: If a college course is taken as dual enrollment, the PIEMS number for the TEKS-based high school science course would be used and the course would be treated like any other TEKS-based course on the list of allowable courses. RHSP- Science, 4th yr

10. Also, fourth year science credit courses will include the following IB science courses: International Baccalaureate Biology International Baccalaureate Chemistry International Baccalaureate Physics International Baccalaureate Environmental Systems RHSP- Science, 4th yr

11. RHSP- Science, 4th yr The following health science technology education courses: • Scientific Research and Design • Anatomy and Physiology of Human Systems • Medical Microbiology and Pathophysiology: since these are half credit courses, both must be taken to fulfill the full science requirement The following technology education/industrial technology education courses: • Principles of Technology (PT1 can not be taken as a fourth credit after taking Physics. Students who have taken Physics have had many of the same concepts)

12. Should IPC be taught in Grade 8? This is a local decision, however, • Most experts agree that this may negatively impact Grade 8 Science TAKS scores and the earth science objective in particular. •  6-8th grade TEKS include foundational concepts presented in various contexts to assure literacy of those concepts. • Thus, compressing the science TEKS into two years is not recommended.  • The SBOE is considering granting science credits to 8th grade students who took IPC in 2006-2007

13. Policy Implications: High School • Grades 9-12: minimum of 40% of instructional time spent on lab and field investigations • Safety in the labs should be paramount… • Crowding of students in science is dangerous! • Science safety training is crucial. • Plan for more students taking more science.

14. Is there a prescribed course sequence? • Sub-chapter F implies that students should take biology, chemistry and physics (in no specific order) and then take a fourth science credit course. • For the DAP, it is stated: “after successful completion of a biology course, a chemistry course, and a physics course, students may select the fourth required credit from any of the following laboratory-based courses…” Chris Comer

15. Is there a prescribed course sequence? • Students who take the Biology, Chemistry, and Physics sequence perform better on SAT and ACT college entrance tests according to college entrance data. • Students who take the Biology, Chemistry, and Physics sequence are better prepared for college work. • Some schools are considering the Physics First approach. • Many schools are considering the conceptual approach to teaching of Physics and Chemistry Chris Comer

16. Conceptual Resources The state of Texas has adopted textbooks and instructional materials for conceptual approaches to chemistry and physics and many schools have adopted these materials. Conceptual Chemistry adopted instructional materials:1. Chemistry in the Community by Bedford, Freeman & Worth2. Chemistry: Concepts and Applications by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill3. Chemistry: Applied and Descriptive by J.M. LeBel Enterprises

17. Conceptual Resources Conceptual physics adopted instructional materials: 1. Conceptual Physics by Prentice Hall 2. Physics: Systems and Applications by J.M. LeBel Enterprises Some schools also use:3. Cambridge Physics Outlet (CPO) Science—Adoptedfor Physics.

18. TAKS Information Booklets • Objectives and TEKS student expectations • Clarification on TEKS • Overview of the subject area • Reasons why each objective and TEKS student expectation are critical to student success • Sample items showing how objectives might be assessed • All teachers should have a copy

19. Availableonline! Study Guides are provided to students who do not meet the standard. www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/guides/study/

20. Resources Needed In Each School: Also available online: www.tenet.edu/teks/science/safety

21. Irene Pickhardt Assistant Director irene.pickhardt@tea.state.tx.us Chris Castillo-Comer Director of Science chris.comer@tea.state.tx.us Who To Contact: Division of Curriculum: 512-463-9581 Region 16 Science Consultant Lola Henning 806-677-5187 lola.henning@esc16.net

22. Questions? • What facility and equipment needs will arise? • What course taking sequence will be implemented? • Are all science teacher highly qualified in their current assignment? • How will math and science classes be aligned so students have the right math prerequisites for the science?

23. Proposed EOC • End of Course tests to replace TAKS in High School • No TEA information on this at this time – except general information • Senate Bill 1031 • Everything can change anytime the legislature meets….what we think we know now….

24. New HS Testing • 2011-2012 • 9th EOC • 10 and 11 TAKS • 2012-2013 • IPC not accepted RHSP • 9th and 10th EOC • 11th TAKS • New Textbooks • 2013 • All HS EOC

25. 2013- All HS EOC

26. EOCs • Who takes them? • RHSP and DP – must take EOCs for a course if they are available. • Why volunteer for the optional and live EOCs? • Practice • Gather data • Manage user with technology

27. Minimum Plan Must take EOC only if the student took a course that required it.

28. EOC Timing • These tests must occur no earlier than the first full week in May. • EOCs must count for 15% of the student’s final grade. • To graduate, the student must have effectively received an average EOC score of 70 in each of the four foundation subject areas

29. EOCs • On Line Format • EOC will have questions that address every student expectation assigned to the course in the TEKS • Retakes will be allowed • Scores of 59 or below will count as a “0” in the graduation system. • 2007-2008 5th graders will be the 9th grade class of 2011-2012

30. TAKS? • EOCs may replace TAKS in HS • 8th Grade TAKS stays • 5th Grade TAKS stays • EOC have been talked about in grades 6,7 • Could there be a change coming to 6,7,8? A Return to: • Life • Physical • Earth?