New PA Graduation Requirements and the
Keystone Exams
Presentation for the Parents
of Algebra I Middle School Students
April 6, 2011
New PA Graduation Requirements
apply to students starting with
the Class of 2015
(current 8th Graders)
What are the
HS Graduation Requirements?
•Completion of Required Courses/Credits
•Complete a Culminating Project
•Demonstrate Proficiency in the Core Subjects
How Can Students Demonstrate
Proficiency in the Core Subjects?
Keystone Exams Are Required for the
Class of 2015 (Current 8th Graders) and the
Class of 2016 (Current 7th Graders)
 Eventually, there will be 10 end-of-course Keystones Exams in:
Math:
Science:
Language Arts:
Social Studies:
Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II,
Biology, Chemistry
Literature, Composition,
US History, Civics, and World History
 Students must proficiency on: 2 Math Keystones, 2 Language Arts
Keystones, 1 Science Keystone, and 1 Social Studies Keystone
 Each Keystone Exam will take 2 – 2 ½ hours. The Exam will be
scored on a 100-point scale
Starting with the Current 7th and 8th Graders (cont.):
Unfortunately, our accelerated math students will be
“double tested” during middle school by taking both the
Algebra I Keystone and the Math PSSAs.
If the Keystone Exam is “ready” when the student is
completing the course, the student will be responsible for
taking it. If the Keystone exam is “not ready” when the
student is completing the course, he/she will be
grandfathered into meeting the requirement.
The BASD will hold proficiency on the six required
Keystone Exams as stand-alone graduation requirements
instead of weighing the keystone exam as 1/3 of the course
grade.
For the 2010-2011 School Year
 Our Current 8th Graders (Class of 2015) & 7th Graders
(Class of 2016) are on the hook for taking the Keystone
exam if they are taking the following courses:
 Algebra I (Grade 7 or Grade 8)
 Biology
 English Literature
 English Composition
The Algebra I Keystone Exam…
•Will be given in two modules on May 3 and May 4. Each module will take
60-75 minutes
•Each module will consist of 18 multiple choice questions and 3
constructed response questions
•Each module will count at 50% of the final Algebra I Keystone Exam Score
The Final Score will classify students as either Below Basic, Basic,
Proficient, or Advanced
• Because Keystone “cut scores” are still being established, students taking
the Algebra I Keystone Exam in 2010-2011 will be required to
demonstrate completion only.
Re-Testing
 Eventually, students will be able to re-take the
Keystone Exam in whole or in part
 Eventually, students who do not test well can complete
a project-based alternative assessment.
 Must attempt Keystones twice
 Can raise the Keystone score to the Proficient cut score,
but not beyond
IEP Students
 Keystone Exams apply to IEP students in the same
manner as the PSSA.
Questions….