The Core Course Proficiency initiative in the State of New Jersey is an outgrowth of the recommendations from two study panels convened to review and revise high school graduation requirements and to consider the need for and impact of establishing a common core of knowledge and skills in specified high school courses. This document presents the core proficiencies identified for the following six science courses: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, General Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science. The introduction provides the rationale and purpose for the document, identifies thinking skills for science instruction, and discusses the need for laboratory and career experiences in science instruction. Six sections present the proficiencies in the six science courses. Each section provides an overview of the proficiencies in that subject and then lists the proficiencies by content within the subject area. (MDH)