Number 264 (Story #2), April 1, 1996 by Phillip F. Schewe and Ben Stein HOW MANY GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS TAKE PHYSICS? In 1987 the fraction was 20%, while in 1993 it was 24%. During that period the number of high school teachers with physics assignments rose about 1% per year. The total number of students enrolled in physics in 1993 was 697,000. (From "High School Physics in the 1990's," an AIP report; contact Michael Neuschatz at 301-209-3070.)