Keystone Exams

 

 

 

Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to evaluate proficiency in academic content. Students must demonstrate proficiency in Literature, Algebra I, and Biology to graduate. One (1.00) credit is earned once these exams are passed. Unsuccessful attempts at the Keystones may result in students being assigned to remedial labs/courses, district re-tests and/or Act 158 (Alternative Pathways); see below.

 

 

 

 

Act 158 of 2018 (Act 158), signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf on October 24, 2018, provides alternatives (Alternative Pathways) to Pennsylvania's statewide requirement of attaining proficiency on the three end-of-course Keystone Exams (Algebra I, Literature, and Biology) for a student to achieve statewide graduation requirements, see below.

 

 

Effective with the graduating class of 2023, students have the option to demonstrate postsecondary preparedness through one of four additional pathways that more fully illustrate college, career, and community readiness. Keystone Exams will continue as the statewide assessment Pennsylvania uses to comply with accountability requirements set forth in the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Students must take the Keystone Exams for purposes of federal accountability. Failure to do so will affect a Local Education Agency (LEA) and school's participation rate. If a student does not achieve proficiency on the Keystone Exams, an alternative pathway (below) exists for meeting state high school graduation requirements: (must meet one)

 

• Keystone Composite
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) Concentrator
• Alternative Assessment
• Evidence-Based

Keystone Composite - At least one (1) Keystone score is Proficient or Advanced and no score is Below Basic and the Composite Keystone Score (Algebra I + Biology + Literature) is 4452 or greater.

 

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Concentrator - One (1) Piece of Evidence

• Industry-based competency certification
• Likelihood of industry-based competency assessment success
• Readiness for continued engagement in Career and Technical Education (CTE) Concentrator program of study

Alternative Assessment - One (1) Piece of Evidence

• Attainment of one alternative assessment score or better: ACT (21), ASVAB AFQT (31), PSAT/NMSQT (970), or SAT (1010)
• Attainment of Gold Level or better on ACT WorkKeys
• Attainment of 3 or better on AP Exam(s) related to each Keystone content area in which less than Proficient
• Attainment of 4 or better on IB Exam(s) related to each Keystone content area in which less than Proficient
• Successful completion of concurrent course(s) related to each Keystone content area in which less than Proficient
• Successful completion of a pre-apprenticeship program
• Acceptance into 4-year Institution of Higher Education (IHE) for college-level coursework

Evidence-Based - Three (3) Pieces of Evidence Consistent with Student Goals

ONE or more from the first seven. No more than TWO from the last five.

• Attainment of 630 or better on any SAT Subject Test
• Attainment of Silver Level or better on ACT WorkKeys
• Attainment of 3 or better on any AP Exam
• Attainment of 3 or better on any IB Exam
• Successful completion of any concurrent or postsecondary course
• Industry-recognized credentialization
• Acceptance into an other-than-4-year Institution of Higher Education (IHE) for college-level coursework

• Attainment of Proficient or Advanced on any Keystone Exam
• Successful completion of a service-learning project
• Letter guaranteeing full-time employment or military enlistment
• Completion of an internship, externship, or cooperative education program
• Compliance with NCAA Division II academic requirements