CSPG 46 - General Science (7-12)
Modified: March 1, 2017
General Science is the science addressing universal properties and involving the fundamental concepts of the life, physical and earth and space sciences.
Grade Level Scope of Certificate
A person holding a valid Pennsylvania General Science certificate is qualified to teach all general science courses in grades 7 through 12.
Certification Assignment
An educator holding a valid Pennsylvania certificate for general science is qualified to teach content including the areas of: life science, physical science, introduction to earth and space science and the societal impact of these applications. A general science certificated educator can teach environmental science coursework.
Definitions
- Life Science – An introductory course comprised of learning experiences related to the ways living things interact with the world around them, but below the level of difficulty of a biology course.
- Physical Science – An introductory course comprised of learning experiences related to physical and/or chemical properties in the student’s daily life, but below the level of difficulty of a physics and/or chemistry course.
- Earth and Space Science – An introductory course comprised of learning experiences related to the principles and processes from astronomy, climatology, geography, geology, hydrology, meteorology, mineralogy, and oceanography in the student’s daily life, but below the level of difficulty of any specific course in one of these areas.
- General Science – An introductory course comprised of learning experiences related to principles and processes from both biological and physical science in the student’s daily life. The general science course shall include topics from life science and physical science or earth and space science, but below the level of difficulty of a course(s) in biology, chemistry, physics, or advanced earth and space science.
Restrictions
An educator holding a General Science certificate is not qualified to teach biology, chemistry, physics or advanced earth and space science.
Special Considerations:
An educator certified in this field may:
- provide professional development;
- serve in the role of mentor or advisor;
- assist students in understanding how to read content area materials.
References
Program Specific Guidelines for Certification.
PA Public School Code: §1202, §1212, §1604
22 PA Code: Chapter 4: §4.22, §4.23, §4.31
Chapter 49: §49.11, §49.81
This revision supersedes all earlier CSPGs carrying this number and/or addressing this subject. Previous printing dates on this subject: 1973, 3/75, 3/78, 2/82, 1/87, 7/04, 11/13, 3/14.
Summary of Changes
| 3/1/2014 | - Added science definitions for Life Science, Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, General Science.
- Clarified Restrictions: The holder of a General Science certificate is not qualified to teach Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Advanced Earth and Space Science.
- Clarified Special Considerations.
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| 6/1/2005 | Provided clarification that a General Science certificate may be used to teach introduction to Earth and Space Science, but not advanced Earth and Space Science. |
| 7/1/2004 | - CSPG #33 was divided into specific CSPG’s for 5 science certificate areas: CSPG #32-Biology; CSPG #34-Chemistry; CSPG #40-Earth & Space Science; CSPG # 46- General Science; CSPG #56-Physics
- Definitions and category clarifications were removed.
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| 6/1/1992 | CSPG #33
Listed definitions for all areas of sciences and corresponding appropriate certifications. |
| 3/1/1975 | CSPG #33 - Comprehensive general science courses may be taught by any valid science certificate.
- Introductory science courses at the junior high grade level may be taught by any valid science certificate, except:
- To teach Earth & Space Science
- an Earth & Space Science certificate is needed; or
- a Geography certificate in the area of physical geography; or
- a Physical Science certificate.
- High school science must be taught by the specific science certificate.
- Planetarium activities – certificate in any area of science.
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