Who is Teaching Science to the Nations Fourth- and Eighth-Grade Students?
• Approximately three-fifths of students in grades 4 and 8 were taught by teachers who reported that their highest degree was a bachelor’s degree. • At the fourth and eighth grades, 16 and 62 percent, respectively, of the nations’ students were taught by teachers who reported holding an undergraduate or graduate major or minor in science or science education. • Approximately one-quarter of grade 4 public school students and three-quarters of grade 8 public school students had teachers who reported that they were certified in the area of science. • Teachers of approximately 46 percent of fourth and eighth graders reported having 11 or more years of science teaching experience.
