Sequencing Science Courses
What’s the “correct” sequence?
Physics
Biology
Physics
Chemistry
Chemistry
Biology
Biology
Physics
Chemistry
ENGAGE
Physics
CHEMISTRY
BIOLOGY
EXPLORE – BIOLOGY TEKS
• §112.34. Biology, Beginning with School Year
2010-2011 (One Credit).
(a) General requirements. Students shall be
awarded one credit for successful completion of
this course. Prerequisites: none. This course is
recommended for students in Grade 9, 10, or
11.
EXPLORE – CHEMISTRY TEKS
• §112.35. Chemistry, Beginning with School Year
2010-2011 (One Credit).
• (a) General requirements. Students shall be
awarded one credit for successful completion of
this course. Required prerequisites: one unit of
high school science and Algebra I. Suggested
prerequisite: completion of or concurrent
enrollment in a second year of math. This course
is recommended for students in Grade 10, 11, or
12.
EXPLORE – PHYSICS TEKS
• §112.39. Physics, Beginning with School Year
2010-2011 (One Credit).
(a) General requirements. Students shall be
awarded one credit for successful completion of
this course. Algebra I is suggested as a
prerequisite or co-requisite. This course is
recommended for students in Grade 9, 10, 11,
or 12.
Course
PreRequisites
Biology
None
Suggested
Recommended
for
Grades 9 - 11
Chemistry Completion Completion of Grades 10 - 12
of Algebra a 2nd year of
1
HS Math
Completion
of 1 year of
HS Science
Physics
Concurrent
Grades 9 - 12
enrollment
in or
completion
of Algebra I
EXPLAIN
• Any “correct” sequence mandated by the TEKS?
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Biology
Chemistry
Chemistry
Biology
Physics
Physics
EXPLAIN
Questions to consider when determining
sequencing
• What is the student’s math ability?
• Is there a benefit of including IPC?
• Is the course being taught at the level required
by the TEKS?
ELABORATE
• Conversations with teachers
– Is the course being taught at the level required by
the TEKS?
TAKS
TEKS
Focused
Focused
College
EOC / STAAR
Focused
Focused
ELABORATE
• Conversations with teachers
– “You just want me to “water down” the course!”
– “That’s not the way we’ve always done it!”
– “Students aren’t going to be prepared for college!”
Student Enrollment in High School
Sciences
in
Texas
450000
400000
350000
300000
250000
Biology
200000
Chemistry
150000
Physics
100000
50000
0
2008-2009
2009-2010
2011-2012
Data from TEA website, PEIMS reports:
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/adhocrpt/adfte.html
EVALUATE
• Analyze student needs
• Facilitate TEKS study with teachers
• Math and Science
• Facilitate discussions with teachers about
course sequencing
• Recommendations of TEA
• EOC reference materials
• Released EOC questions
Contact the Science Team
• Kristen Hillert: Secondary Science
Kristen.hillert@esc13.txed.net
512-919-5358
• Jennifer Jordan – Kaszuba: Secondary Science
Jennifer.jordan-kaszuba@esc13.txed.net
512-919- 5368
• D’Anna Pynes: Elementary Science
Danna.pynes@esc13.txed.net
512-919-5227