Keystone Exams*
The Keystone Exams are assessments in Algebra I, Biology, and Literature. These exams will be used for students to demonstrate proficiency in the areas of Mathematics, Science, and Literacy as a requirement to graduate from Donegal High School. Students are required to participate in these exams at the end of the course of study in Algebra I, Biology, and All 10th graders when enrolled in a Literature 9/10 class. Exams are administered in January 2024, and May 2024.
*Testing dates and administration are subject to change
STATEWIDE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENT
ACT 158 of
2018, provides alternatives to Pennsylvania’s statewide requirement of
attaining
Proficiency on the three end of course keystone exams for a
student to achieve statewide graduation requirements. Students have the option to demonstrate
postsecondary preparedness through one of three 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). Although
students will no longer be required to achieve proficiency on the Keystone
Exams to meet the statewide graduation requirement, students must take the Keystone Exams for purposes of federal accountability.
In accordance with Act 158 of
2018, the PA Department of Education now requires the successful completion of
one of the three following pathways in order for them to graduate high school. Please, carefully
read the pathways listed below, as they relate to your child and the manner in
which they can successfully meet graduation requirements.
●
Pathway #1 Keystone Proficiency:
o
If your student scores
proficient or advanced on all three Keystone Exams (Algebra I, Biology &
Literature), he/she will have met the requirements for graduation.
●
Pathway #2 Keystone Composite Pathway:
o
If your student earns a composite (combined) score of 4452
on the Algebra I, Literature, and Biology Keystone Exams, while earning a
proficient score on at least 1 out of the 3 exams and no less than a basic
score on the other 2 exams, he/she will have met the requirements for
graduation.
●
Pathway #3:
If your student does not meet Pathway #1
or #2, he/she
will be required to successfully achieve a combination of number 1, listed
below, plus one option from 2 below:
1.
Pass any class for
which he/she does not score a minimum of proficient, as determined by the state
scoring system for the following Keystone Exams: Algebra I, Biology, and/or grade 10 English.
Example:
A student scores basic on the Algebra I exam, but passes the Algebra I class, they have met a portion of the requirement for graduation.
2
AND achieve ONE the following options in the table:
| Career & Technical Education (1 piece of evidence) | Alternative Assessment (1 piece of evidence) | Evidence Based (3 pieces of evidence) |
| Examples of evidence include:
| Examples of evidence include:
| Examples of evidence include:
|
The first two pathways can only be successfully obtained if a student participates in all three keystone exams when they are enrolled in the course and they obtain the scores outlined in pathways #1 and #2.