Pennsylvania’s Keystone
Exams:
A Change to Graduation Requirements
Approval Chapter 4 Regulations
1. On January 9, 2010 changes to Chapter 4
regulations for graduation became final and
effective.
2. The changes create stronger graduation
requirements along with new supports for
students and school districts.
3. These requirements will be phased in over
time beginning fall of 2010 through 20162017.
Pennsylvania’s Keystone Exams
4. Students in Pennsylvania will see the testing
begin next year with everyone being tested
by 2014.
5. There will be ten tests and a student must
be proficient in six of them to graduate.
6. The tests cover Algebra I, Geometry,
Algebra II, English Literature, Composition,
American History, World History, Civics,
Biology, and Chemistry.
Requirements for Graduation
Effective with the graduating class of 2014-15
1)
2)
3)
4)
Course completion and grades
Completion of a culminating project, which may include
completion of a college application process;
Demonstration of proficiency as determined by the school
district in each of the state academic standards not assessed
by a state assessment
Demonstration of proficiency in literature (reading),
English composition, math, science and social studies as
determined through one or more of the following: use of
state-developed Keystone Exams, local assessments and
Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate Exams.
School boards will decide which exams they wish to use
for graduation purposes.
Requirements for Graduation
The requirements will be phased in:
Class of 2014-2015
English composition, literature, algebra I
(This year’s 7th graders)
must demonstrate proficiency in these areas
and biology
Class of 2016-2017
English composition and literature;
Two of three mathematics (algebra I,
geometry, algebra II),
one of two sciences (biology or
chemistry),
one of three social studies (American
history, civics and government or world
history).
(This year’s 5th graders)
must demonstrate proficiency on 6 of ten tests
The Impact of Keystone Exams
KEYSTONE EXAMS ARE

COURSE FINAL EXAMS

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

A.Y.P. TESTS
The Impact of Keystone Exams
 Once approval is granted from U.S.D.O.E. Keystone
Exams in algebra 1, biology, and literature will
replace the 11th grade PSSA. The student’s original
score will be used for AYP. (2012-13 school year)
 Each Keystone Exam is a 2 to 2 ½ hour subject
specific final exam.
 The Keystone Exam score must account for 1/3 of
the final course grade.
The Impact of Keystone Exams
 Each Keystone Exam is going to be graded as a
normal PSSA test would be graded, Advanced,
Proficient, Basic, and Below Basic.
 If a student scores below basic, he or she is given
the score of 0 for the entire test.
 The Keystones will be offered three times per year.
The Impact of Keystone Exams
 Unlike final exams, students will be able to retake the
tests in whole or in part. If a student fails to reach
proficient after three tries a project-based assessment
may be given to meet the graduation requirement. Points
earned through the project would be added to their
highest Keystone Exam score. Projects would be
administered at the local level and scored at a regional
level by panels composed of teachers, principals and
curriculum specialists.
 Most students should have the opportunity to meet the
Keystone graduation requirement prior to the end of the
11th grade.
Development of Keystone Exams
PDE will develop 10 Keystone Exams that districts may use for
graduation purposes and administer as final end of course
exams. Development of the 10 exams will be phased in as
follows:
2010-2011 School year
Algebra 1, Biology,
Literature
2011
Winter
2015
Spring
Algebra II, Geometry,
Composition, US History
Chemistry, Civics &
Government, World
History
Keystone Exam Student Supports
 Beginning in the 2011-12 school year, a student
who does not pass one or more of the Keystone
Exams must be offered supplemental instructional
support.
 Students who score below "proficient" must be
provided opportunities to retake the test or
modules of the test.
Keystone Exam PDE Assistance
 PDE will provide, for voluntary use, model curriculum,
diagnostic assessments and related instructional
resources aligned with state academic standards in
each of the courses and content areas assessed by
the Keystone Exams. ( www.pdesas.org)
 The department will also provide assistance in the
development of effective student tutoring,
remediation and extended instructional time
programs.
Keystone Exams Timeline
2010-2011
Any 7th or 8th grader taking English Composition, Algebra 1,
Biology, and/or Literature would need to take a Keystone
Exam as a final exam for the course.
2011-2012
Any 7th, 8th or 9th grader taking Algebra 1, Biology, Literature,
Algebra II, Geometry, Composition, US History would need to
take a Keystone Exam as a final exam for the course.
2012-2013
Any 7th, 8th ,9th or 10th grader taking Algebra 1, Biology,
Literature, Algebra II, Geometry, Composition, US History
would need to take a Keystone Exam as a final exam for the
course.
2013-2014
Any 7th, 8th ,9th 10th or 11th grader taking Algebra 1, Biology,
Literature, Algebra II, Geometry, Composition, US History
would need to take a Keystone Exam as a final exam for the
course.
2014-2015
Any student taking Algebra 1, Biology, Literature, Algebra II,
Geometry, Composition, US History, Chemistry, Civics &
Government, World History would need to take a Keystone
Exam as a final exam for the course.
Source:
[22 PA. CODE CH. 4 ]
Academic Standards and Assessment
[40 Pa.B. 240]
[Saturday, January 9, 2010]