Accelerated Earth Science

The Selection Process and the Program
(Updated April 23, 2008)

Some basic information from the 2007-2008 Science 7 student analysis (for the 2008-2009 classes):

• The selection process is performance based and objective.

• There are approximately 100 spots available in Accelerated Earth Science.

• An initial review of 406 seventh grade students was conducted (out of 532 total students).

  • This included all students with grades of 85 and above in Science 7 and/or Math 7 in the first 2 quarters.

• 234 students from that group qualified for further analysis

• The top performing students (from the 234) were sent invitations dated April 7, 2008.

• Borderline students were reanalyzed after 3rd quarter and a few more invitations were sent in early May.

• The selection process is now complete and next year's accelerated Earth Science classes are filled.

• Of those students invited for acceleration in science, approximately 66% were enrolled in Math-ACC and 34% in Math-R.

I.        The Purpose of an Accelerated Science Program

The science courses available during eighth grade are the traditional eighth grade science or an accelerated Regents Earth Science.  Accelerated Regents Earth Science uses the same Regents syllabus as the high school course but explores many topics in greater depth, includes various field activities and moves at a faster pace than the typical high school Earth Science course.  Either program will permit a student with an aptitude for science to take one or more Advanced Placement (A. P.) science courses prior to graduation should he/she remain in the sequence.  A student in an accelerated science program would have the advantage of completing the four-year Regents Science sequence by the end of the junior year, leaving the senior year open for A. P. Science course(s) or other electives.  See below for an outline of both programs.

As educators, we recommend that the accelerated science program only be selected for those seventh grade students who have demonstrated a strong aptitude for both mathematics and science.  As parents, you should be aware that there might be a disadvantage in being accelerated in only science but not in mathematics.  Advanced Placement Physics and Chemistry are highly mathematical in nature.  Students who take them in their junior and senior years have found a need to learn a lot of math on their own if they are in the normal math track. This may also be the case for some students taking Regents Chemistry and Physics who are accelerated in science but not math. (Please note that the pre-requisite for Regents Chemistry is that students have to have passed Integrated Algebra, Geometry, and their corresponding Regents Exams.) 

                         NORMAL PROGRAM                                                              ACCELERATED PROGRAM

II.      Selection Criteria

Invitation to participate in Accelerated Science is determined by a student’s academic performance in the first 2 quarters of 7^th grade and is generally based on:

o        Science grades of 95 or higher

o        A very strong performance in mathematics generally indicated by grades of:

• 92 or higher in Accelerated-level math
• 95 or higher in R-level math

o        Overall average of 95 or higher

o        Slight consideration of teacher recommendation

III.    Your Child’s Selection and the Ranking Process

In an effort to make this selection process as objective as possible, the analysis is performance based.  This means that students’ grades earned in the first two quarters of the seventh grade are the most significant aspects in determining their rankings.

The selection process is summarized below:

A.      Student grades are compiled and point values are assigned based on the criteria above.

B.     Grade 7 science teachers give their input on the students who make the preliminary list and suggest any additional students who they believe may have been missed.  Again, teacher recommendation plays a minor role in the selection process in order to keep it objective and performance based.

C.     Final analysis is completed and the list of potential candidates is ranked.

D.     Invitations are sent home to qualifying candidates; students and parents decide whether the student will participate in accelerated science.

IV.    Making the Decision

The decision to accept this invitation should not be taken lightly.  An open discussion with your child about this opportunity is the best way to make a good decision.  The accelerated Earth Science teacher will require students to learn at a quick pace and to consistently demonstrate an outstanding work ethic.  Students will be challenged to the fullest extent of their abilities and we maintain high expectations for them. 

We are aware that the students we select may experience a minor drop in grades due to the rigorous requirements of the course.  However, if any student in this program suffers a significant drop in grades within the first quarter or so of the accelerated program, reassignment to the regular Science 8 will be required. 

V.      Some Disadvantages to Consider

Please consider the information listed below as you make your decision.  This is based on past student surveys and some general information about scheduling, grades, etc.

A.      Accelerated students will not be able to enroll in one 8^th grade fine arts class since Regents Earth Science requires an additional lab period every other day.  The Guidance Office will contact you later regarding this.

B.     Topics in Chemistry and Physics missed by skipping the regular Science 8 class (periodic table study, atomic structure, chemical reactions, etc.) are taught only very briefly in Accelerated Regents Earth Science. 

C.     Especially for the student who is not accelerated in both math and science:

·         Students that are not accelerated in math as well as science may have a harder time with some mathematical aspects of chemistry and physics since they are taking these science classes a year ahead of the non-accelerated math sequence.  Most accelerated science students find success with some extra hard work at these times.

·         Some advanced/honors science classes in the high school have math pre-requisites.  Students in the “regular” math sequence (non-accelerated), may not be able to take those science classes until the math pre-requisite is completed.  There are, of course, other good science options.

D.     Maintaining expected averages in science and possibly other subjects may become more difficult and grades may drop, resulting in a lower overall academic average.

E.     If grades suffer, class ranking may drop, and negatively affect a student’s overall high school record.

F.      Taking a science A.P. course in twelfth grade when all the science requirements are complete may become a more difficult choice for a senior to make since his or her science requirements have been fulfilled.  Therefore, although the original intention may have been to advance in science, many students choose not to take an A.P. course. 

VI.    Other High School Science Options Still Available to Non-accelerated Students

It must be emphasized that if a student does not accelerate in grade 8, the opportunity to take A.P. courses is not closed to him or her.  On the contrary, the option to take A.P. courses remains a possibility throughout high school so long as student aptitude and high academic performance are demonstrated and other prerequisites are met.  

In addition to AP courses there are other advanced and elective science courses available to all qualified students.   For example:

o        An Honors Biology course is now being offered.  Students eligible for this course must score well on a qualifying test and receive a grade above 90% in Earth Science.

o        A three-year science research project is offered to students starting in the sophomore year.  This course culminates with a student publishing a research report in his or her senior year and presenting the research at a symposium at SUNY Albany.

o        General science electives like Astronomy are open to all students.

Therefore, if a student does not choose to take accelerated Earth Science as an eighth grader, there are still other options available for science advancement during high school.

Some Advantages to Consider

A.      Accelerated students participate in a rigorous class with other very capable and highly motivated students.

B.     Students get a “jump start” on their high school classes while in the smaller and more contained middle school environment.  This can ease the transition to greater freedom and responsibility some students find challenging at the high school. 

C.     What is lost in scheduling options at Maple Ave. (the lost fine arts class) is gained at the high school level allowing greater scheduling flexibility.  This can allow the now more mature student increased options for A.P. classes, electives, or to pursue other areas of special interest that he or she has developed.

D.     A high school record that shows that a student has succeeded in the most rigorous options available impresses colleges.