The 8th grade Regents Earth Science Program

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The 8th gradeRegents Earth Science Program

• St. Martin de Porres School

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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.

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Intermediate level science requirements

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Test RequirementsContinued

• 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 8th grade
  student.

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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.

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We will help your child prepare for the test

• Your child will be asked to buy the Barrons
  Review Book set to help them study for the test.
  (4th 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.

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St. Martins 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.

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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).

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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 8th grade science if they do
  their work and turn it in on time!
• Our course curriculum will meet the requirements
  of the Regents test.

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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 3rd
  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 3rd quarter.

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Lab Requirements--Continued

• Your childs lab work is the property of the
  State of New YorkIt 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.

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Lab RequirementsContinued

• 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.

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Regents success correlates with lab performance!

• St. Martins 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.

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Your child should expect to pass 8th 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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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. Martins.
  It is unlikely that students with poor initial
  scores will pass without additional coursework.
• 65 is considered a passing Regents score

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

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Other Important resources

• www.regentsearth.com
• www.mrsciguy.com

• Other links will be posted to the 8th grade
  homework page.