2. The 8 th grade Regents Earth Science Program St. Martin de Porres School

3. Course Description The Regents Earth Science course is designed to meet the science. requirements of the NYS Intermediate Level Science Curriculum. The course is also a Regents level course enabling qualified students to take the Regents test for Regents credit.

4. Intermediate level science requirements 6 th, 7 th and 8 th Grade students must complete a program of study that includes both physical and life sciences. The life sciences were taught in 7 th grade. The physical sciences were taught in 5 th and 6 th grade and are further developed in Earth Science. Because our students take the Regents, they do NOT need the Intermediate level science test.

5. NYS High School Science Requirements Your child will be required to earn credit in three Regents Laboratory Science Courses. (Requirement began with the 2005-2006 school year). Each of these courses will involve a minimum of 20 hours 1200 minutes of acceptable lab time. Each of these courses requires a Regents exam.

6. The Regents Earth Science Exam This Exam consists of a laboratory test and a written test. Both parts of the test are taken in June The written portion of the test will be taken after graduation. (June 17) The date for the test is determined by the NYS board of Education later in the year and cannot be changed by the school.

7. Regents Test Requirements Students must complete a minimum of 20 hours (1200 minutes) of lab time in order to qualify for the test. Lab time must be documented with passing quality, paper lab reports, kept in a lab folder at the school. The student must also be passing Earth Science in order to qualify for the test.

8. Test Requirements—Continued The written portion of the test is a comprehensive exam, covering course curriculum from the entire year. The lab portion of the test is also a comprehensive exam, involving 3 hands-on stations, and written analysis of each station. This analysis includes mathematical calculation and graph construction. The test is difficult for the average 8 th grade student.

9. Your child must study for this test! Because this test is comprehensive, your child will need to review extensively for this test! This test is NOT an ITBS type test which assesses the general skills and abilities of the student.

10. We will help your child prepare for the test Your child will be asked to buy the Barron’s Review Book set to help them study for the test. (4 th edition) Course exams will be composed largely of questions from previous Regents exams so that your child will have experience with Regents style questions. Lab curriculum is designed with the lab test in mind.

11. St. Martin’s Course Expectations Your child is expected to do their lab work and to turn it in on time. Your child is expected to behave appropriately in lab and in lecture classes. Your child is expected to turn in all homework, classwork assignments and lab work on time. Your child is expected to do quality lab write ups.

12. As a parent, you may expect the following: I will keep a website which will list major assignments and labs. Parents are advised to monitor this website for course information. The website can be accessed through the school website. Your child will have a mid-term exam which is based on the State tests. Your child will not be allowed to participate in lab if behavior is inappropriate (safety is the prime concern).

13. Your child may expect the following: Tests will consist largely of questions from past Regents exams. Homework, assignments and lab work will balance out test requirements. Your child will pass 8 th grade science if they do their work and turn it in on time! Our course curriculum will meet the requirements of the Regents test.

14. Lab Requirements Your child can expect to do a Regents level lab weekly (or more). Your child will have been given the opportunity to do 20 hours of lab work by the end of 3 rd quarter (approximately). Your child will not be qualified to take the Regents test if they have not completed 20 hours of lab time by the end of 3 rd quarter.

15. Lab Requirements--Continued Your child’s lab work is the property of the State of New York—It will not be returned to you or your child. All labs must be typed and turned in on time. Labs may be audited by the State at any time. Students are advised to keep a duplicate lab folder at home so that they can use it for study purposes.

16. Lab Requirements—Continued Your child will not be granted Regents Credit for a lab if he or she is asked to leave the lab for disciplinary reasons. Your child will not be allowed to make up that lab in any way. Your child will not receive Regents Credit for a lab that is copied from another student or outside source.

17. Regents success correlates with lab performance! St. Martin’s students with the highest Regents scores also had the highest Earth Science lab averages. Students will not receive Regents lab credit for simply turning in labs. The labs must reflect care and effort and receive a passing grade. Lab is intended to teach many course skills which are tested on both the lab and written Regents tests.

18. Your child should expect to pass 8 th grade science! This is a high school level course. We consider this in grading the work of the students. If your child is willing to turn in all lab work and assignments, they will pass each quarter of the class.

19. Your child should NOT expect to pass the Regents requirements without extra effort! Study for the Regents test should be an on-going process that begins early in the year. The Regents test requires students to master the Earth science curriculum in its entirety. Intermediate level students will need to make an extra effort in science to pass the Regents test.

20. No student will be forced to take the Regents Test It is our hope that all students will qualify for, take and pass the Regents exam. Students who are unsure of their ability to pass the test will not be forced to take the test. Students will not receive Regents credit without taking the test.

21. No student will be forced to take the Regents Test All Regents scores must be recorded on the report card and reported to the high schools. A parent should speak to Mrs. Canfield if you are concerned about whether your child should take the test

22. In the event that your child does not pass the Regents test Your child will not be behind! This is an advanced level course! Your child may re-take the test in August. Re-takes may be arranged through Our Lady of Lourdes High School or the Public districts. Re-takes require permission from St. Martin’s. It is unlikely that students with poor initial scores will pass without additional coursework. 65 is considered a passing Regents score

23. The St. Martin de Porres School pass rate on the Regents test is excellent

24. Other Important resources www.regentsearth.com www.mrsciguy.com Other links will be posted to the 8 th grade homework page.