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Chapter 4 Changes
Graduation Requirements
Keystone Exams
Upper Merion Area School District
Presentation
by Jane Callaghan 6/21/10
Approval of Chapter 4 Regulations
 On January 9, 2010 changes regarding high
school graduation were made to 22 PA.
CODE CH 4.
 The changes create stronger graduation
requirements, as well as new supports for
students and school districts.
Requirements for Graduation
Effective with the graduating class of 2014-15
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Course completion and grades
Completion of a culminating project
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:
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Use of state-developed Keystone Exams
Local “validated assessments”
Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate Exams
Districts will decide which assessments they wish to use
for graduation purposes.
Requirements for Graduation
The requirements will be phased in:
Class of 2014-2015
(This year’s 7th graders)
must demonstrate proficiency in these areas –
the test is assessment is administered when
students complete the course)
Class of 2016-2017
(This year’s 5th graders)
must demonstrate proficiency on 6 of ten tests
•English composition
•literature
•algebra I
•biology
•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)
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 Exams as Part of
Graduation Requirements
 If used:
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Keystones will be administered to students at
the completion of a course and will count
toward 1/3 of the final grade
Keystone tests will cover Algebra I, Geometry,
Algebra II, English Literature, Composition,
American History, World History, Civics,
Biology, and Chemistry
Students must be proficient in six out of 10
exams to graduate
The Impact of Keystone Exams
 Each Keystone Exam will be 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.
Changes to AYP
Pending approval by the U.S. Dept. of Ed.
 The four PSSA tests administered in 11th and 12th grade retests
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will be discontinued ( 2012-2013 School year)
These PSSA tests will be replaced by three Keystone Exams
 Algebra I
 Literature (Reading)
 Biology
The Algebra I and Literature exams will be mandatory as the
measure used to determine Adequate Yearly Progress
The Biology exam will be mandatory consistent with Federal
law requiring a high-school level science exam
Use of these and other Keystone Exams will remain voluntary for
the purposes of determining course grades and eligibility for high
school graduation as provided in the menu of available options to
demonstrate readiness for high school graduation.
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.
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.
Standards Aligned System
 http://www.pdesas.org/Assessment/Keystone
Grade 8 Algebra Issues
Source:
[22 PA. CODE CH. 4 ]
Academic Standards and Assessment
[40 Pa.B. 240]
[Saturday, January 9, 2010]