Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-3-.18
Science Rules for ALL SCIENCE Teaching Fields (Grades 6-12)
Effective May 15, 2025New Rule: December 19, 1978. Amended: December 13, 1990; effective February 1, 1991. Repealed and Replaced: January 9, 1997; effective February 13, 1997; operative July 1, 1997. Amended: Filed June 14, 1999; effective July 19, 1999. Repealed and New Rule: Filed September 11, 2003; effective October 16, 2003. Repealed and New Rule: Filed July 13, 2004; effective August 17, 2004. Repealed and New Rule: April 14, 2005; effective May 19, 2005. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 6, 2007; effective September 10, 2007. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 3, 2009; effective September 7, 2009; operative October 1, 2009. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 13, 2015; effective September 17, 2015. Amended: Filed September 13, 2018; effective October 28, 2018; operative June 1, 2019. Repealed and New Rule: Published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021. Repealed and New Rule: Published March 31, 2025; effective May 15, 2025.Alabama State Board of Education
- 1. Rationale. This Rule highlights those elements distinctive to All Science Programs. These standards build upon the InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards, ISTE Standards, and Alabama Specific Standards. The standards are consistent with the current NSTA/ASTA Standards for Science Teacher Preparation, and the current Alabama Course of Study: Science. Implementation of the standards will be in the Alabama Continuous Improvement guidance.
2. Program Curriculum. In addition to meeting Rules 290-3-3-.03, 290-3-3-.04, 290-3-3-.05, and 290-3-3-.11, the curriculum shall require coursework, key assessments, and field experiences in the following areas:
- a. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop content knowledge in science (concepts, laws, nature, and cultural norms, technologies and practices of science and engineering, science standards and sequencing, society and the environment).
- b. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop content pedagogy in science (safety procedures, engineering practices, instruction and assessment strategies, and science technologies).
- c. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to identify appropriate learning goals in science aligned with standards and consistent with knowledge of how students learn science (incorporation of strategies and teaching activities, utilization of a variety of settings, collaboration, communication, and evaluation).
- d. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop methods to demonstrate biological, chemical, and physical safety protocols in classrooms and science environments.
- e. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop strategies to ensure that students can learn and apply science core ideas and engineering practices resulting from active engagement and instruction.
- f. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop an ability to plan, implement, assess, and reflect upon research-based instruction to increase student motivation and enhance active learning of science for all learners.
- g. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to understand scientific and engineering practices.
- h. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to understand tasks of teaching science
3. Options. In addition to meeting Rules 290-3-3-.03, 290-3-3-.04, 290-3-3-.05, and 290-3-3-.11, an institution has four options for the preparation of science teachers based on completion of a teaching field. Individuals interested in secondary science certification must choose a teaching field option.
- a. General science candidates must meet the rules for All Science Programs and these rules that are specific to General Science. These standards are consistent with the current NSTA/ASTA Standards for Science Teacher Preparation, the Praxis General Science Assessment and the current Alabama Course of Study: Science. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop content knowledge in general science (physical science, life science, and Earth and space science).
- b. Biology candidates must meet the rules for All Science Programs and these rules that are specific to Biology. These standards are consistent with the current NSTA/ASTA Standards for Science Teacher Preparation, Praxis Biology Assessment, and the current Alabama Course of Study: Science. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop content knowledge in biology (cell biology, structure, function, genetics and evolution, diversity of life and organismal biology, and ecology).
- c. Chemistry candidates must meet the rules for All Science Programs and these rules that are specific to chemistry. These standards are consistent with the current NSTA/ASTA Standards for Science Teacher Preparation, Praxis Chemistry Assessment, and the current Alabama Course of Study: Science. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop content knowledge in chemistry (matter and energy, chemical composition, bonding and structure, chemical reactions and periodicity, solutions, and acid-base chemistry).
- d. Physics candidates must meet the rules for All Science Programs and these rules that are specific to physics. These standards are consistent with the current NSTA/ASTA Standards for Science Teacher Preparation, Praxis Physics Assessment, and the current Alabama Course of Study: Science. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop content knowledge in Physics (matter and energy, mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and waves).
- 4. Teaching Field Specific Methods Course. There shall be a methods course specific to science and the grade span for the teaching field. Methods courses shall not be combined with methods courses for other teaching fields or grade spans. The course should also instruct candidates how to use an interdisciplinary approach.
5. Unique Field Experiences, Practica, and Internship Placement Requirements.
- a. Field experiences shall include placements in both middle grades and high school science classrooms.
- b. To the extent possible, field experiences should allow candidates the opportunity to practice in science.
- c. Although not required, the practicum experiences can be at either the middle grades level or high school level. Experiences should deepen candidate understanding and ability in science.
- d. Internship shall be split between middle grades and high school grades unless a practicum experience and/or at least three field experiences have been completed at the other level.
Author: Dr. Eric G. Mackey
Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§16-3-16 and 16-23-14.
Editor’s Note: Previous Rule .26 was renumbered .18 per certification published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021.
History: New Rule: December 19, 1978. Amended: December 13, 1990; effective February 1, 1991. Repealed and Replaced: January 9, 1997; effective February 13, 1997; operative July 1, 1997. Amended: Filed June 14, 1999; effective July 19, 1999. Repealed and New Rule: Filed September 11, 2003; effective October 16, 2003. Repealed and New Rule: Filed July 13, 2004; effective August 17, 2004. Repealed and New Rule: April 14, 2005; effective May 19, 2005. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 6, 2007; effective September 10, 2007. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 3, 2009; effective September 7, 2009; operative October 1, 2009. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 13, 2015; effective September 17, 2015. Amended: Filed September 13, 2018; effective October 28, 2018; operative June 1, 2019. Repealed and New Rule: Published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021. Repealed and New Rule: Published March 31, 2025; effective May 15, 2025.