Valley Stream Central High School District: Departments

In today’s fast-paced technological society, Science continues to play an integral role in daily business, career and routine home activities. To have a reasonable understanding of the modern and future world, the study of science is essential and must, therefore, be a vital part of every student's program. All students are required to take Science in grades 7 and 8. A statewide assessment, the Intermediate Level Science exam, is given to all students in the 8th grade, regardless of the Science course into which they have been programmed.

Students must pass at last one Science Regents exam and successfully complete at least two units of Regents Science at the Senior High level. One credit must be in the Living Environment, the other from the Physical Setting. Students in the graduating class of 2005 and beyond must pass at least one Regents exam and successfully complete three units of Science at the Senior High level. One credit must be in the Living Environment, one from the Physical Setting. The third unit may be selected from any Science course in the Course Offerings Book, provided the student has satisfied the prerequisite, if any. For an Advanced Regents Diploma a student will need to pass two Regents exams - one each from the Living Environment and the Physical Setting.

Below is an overview of our district Science program. It is important to note the sequential nature. For the complete program to be comprehensive, the student should be exposed to the basic principles of the living and physical environments. Thus, the Science program with its core subjects and electives, which provide added enrichment and diversity, fulfills the college prerequisites and provides a basis for possible career choices.

In order to take the Regents examinations each June, a student must satisfy a minimum time requirement in a laboratory setting and must satisfactorily complete the appropriate written laboratory reports. A student who does not meet these two requirements is ineligible to take the Regents examination.