Physical Science Course Update

PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSE UPDATE

We would like to provide an update on the new Physical Science course that will be offered to Grade 9 students in the fall of 2015.  As a reminder, the Physical Science course is part of the new MPS high school core science sequence which includes: 9th grade Physical Science, 10th grade Biology, and 11th/12th grade Physics or Chemistry.   See memo linked here for additional details.

Physical Science pre-assessment to be administered after the Science MCA testing window closes (tentatively May 18)

The 9th grade Physical Science course will address the required MN academic standards in the areas of Physical Science, Earth Science, and Nature of Science and Engineering.  As Physical Science is a new course to MPS, a pre-assessment of the 9th grade high school standards will be administered to all current 8th graders in their Science class mid-May 2015.  The data obtained from the pre-assessment will be used to help 9th grade science teachers plan their instruction.  The pre-assessment will address MN High School Science standards students have not yet been instructed on and no preparation is necessary at home or in class.  Scores will not impact students’ science grade in 8th or 9th grade in any way.  If a student demonstrates proficiency on the pre-assessment, Teaching and Learning will contact students in June 2015 about course enrollment options and next steps.  

Resources for MPS staff

Further information, including a FAQ, about the science sequence and the pre-assessment may be found at the new webpage on MyMPS.  You can access the resources here and log in with your MPS username and password.  Once logged in MyMPS, select the MPS High School Science Sequence course.  On the website, you will find background on the new high school science sequence, physical science course standards, and other resources.  If your answers aren’t addressed through the FAQ, you may also enter further questions through the form linked here.

Resources and communication with families

In your communications with incoming students and families, it is not appropriate to refer to the Physical Science pre-assessment as a “test out”.  The primary function of this pre-assessment is for instructional planning purposes.  Physical Science is a rigorous high school course based on high school state standards required for graduation.  For new-to-MPS students, we will offer opportunities to take the pre-assessment; dates to-be-determined.  Families can submit questions not addressed in the public FAQ via the public survey form.  Additionally, you can refer parents to the MPS Science page linked here, where they can find information about core sequence for graduating class 2015-2018 and core sequence for graduating class 2019 and beyond.

If you have additional questions,  please contact Jennifer Rose, K-12 Science Content Lead, at Jennifer.rose@mpls.k12.mn.us.