Keystone Exam Information

• Algebra: May 11th
• Literature: May 12th
• Biology: May 13th

If your child is scheduled for an exam, it will appear in the “C” slot on their PowerSchool schedule.
If you’re unsure whether your student is taking the exam, contact their high school counselor.

Students not taking the exam will work remotely from home.

• Only students taking Keystone Exams will be in the building on exam days. Others will work remotely.

• Morning bus transportation remains the same; arrival begins at 7:00 AM.

• Students enter through security, then report to the cafeteria for breakfast.

• Testing starts promptly at 7:30 AM — be on time!

• Exams consist of two modules with breaks and lunch around 9:30–10:00 AM.

• Early dismissal at 12:30 AM. Steel Center student pickup is at 11:45 AM at the back of the building.

Rules for Cell Phones & Electronic Devices

To protect the integrity of the Keystone Exams, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) strictly prohibits the use of electronic devices during testing. Keystone Exam materials are copyrighted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Copying, photographing, or duplicating any part of the test—such as by taking a photo—is a violation of federal copyright law and may result in fines ranging from $750 to $30,000 per offense. (17 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.)

No electronic devices are allowed in testing areas, including:

• Cell phones

• Smartphones

• Smartwatches

• E-readers (Nooks, Kindles)

• iPods, tablets, cameras

• Any device capable of photographing or sharing exam content

• Listen to, read, and follow all directions carefully.

• Ask questions if you don’t understand the instructions.

• Read each question thoroughly, especially multiple-choice items that ask for the best answer.

• Carefully read all open-ended items and writing prompts before responding.

• Mark answers accurately. Don’t skip lines or fill in the wrong section.

• Completely fill in answer bubbles and erase cleanly if you change an answer.

• Keep your eyes on your own test.

• Try to answer every question.

• Before closing your test booklet or submitting online, make sure all items in the section are complete.

• Report any suspected cheating to your teacher or principal.

• Bring or have notes in your possession.

• Possess unapproved electronic devices (cell phones, smartphones, smartwatches, etc.). Approved calculators may be used if allowed.

• Share calculators with others.

• Mark multiple bubbles to eliminate answers. Only fill in the bubble for the correct answer.

• Talk about test questions during or after the test. (You may discuss the testing process or concerns with a parent/guardian.)

• Take notes about the test to share with others.

• Leave an online test session early unless instructed.

• Use social media to post anything about the test or its content.

Religious Opt-Out

Under Chapter 4 of Title 22 of the Pennsylvania Code (22 Pa. Code § 4.4), parents/guardians have the right to excuse their child from statewide assessments if, after reviewing the test materials, they determine the test conflicts with their religious beliefs. This is the only allowable reason for opting out under Chapter 4.

Opt-Out Procedure:

• The parent/guardian must contact the school to request that their child be excused.

• About two weeks before the exam, the principal will schedule a time for the parent/guardian to review the test materials.

• Reviews must occur on district property and under staff supervision.

• If requesting an exemption from multiple exams (e.g., ELA and Math), each test must be reviewed separately.

• A confidentiality agreement must be signed before viewing the test to maintain test security.

• To schedule a review, contact your child’s building administrator.

• After reviewing the exam(s), the parent/guardian must submit a written request to the school principal, with a copy to the Superintendent, stating the objection based on religious beliefs and listing the specific assessment(s) to be excused.

• This process must be repeated each year the exemption is requested.

• The principal will confirm with the parent/guardian that the student has been excused.

Act 158: Pathways to Graduation
For students graduating in 2023 and beyond

To meet Pennsylvania’s statewide graduation requirement, students must complete one of the following five pathways:

1. Keystone Proficiency Pathway

   • Score Proficient or Advanced on all three Keystone Exams: Algebra I, Literature, and Biology.

2. Keystone Composite Pathway

   • Earn a composite score of 4452 across the three exams.

   • Must score Proficient on at least one exam and no lower than Basic on the other two.

Alternative Assessment Pathway

Students who do not score proficient on one or more Keystone Exams can meet graduation requirements through this pathway by completing:

1. Locally established academic requirements in the subject(s) where proficiency was not achieved, and

2. One of the following options:

   • A qualifying score on an approved alternate assessment (SAT, PSAT, ACT, or ASVAB)

   • Gold Level score on the ACT WorkKeys Assessment

   • A qualifying score on an Advanced Placement Program (AP) or an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB) exam in the related subject on the Keystone Exam where the student did not achieve at least a proficient score

   • Successful completion of a concurrent enrollment course in the related subject on the Keystone Exam where the student did not achieve at least a proficient score

   • Completion of a pre-apprenticeship program (or)

   • Acceptance to an accredited 4-year nonprofit institution of higher education, with proof of ability to enroll in college-level coursework

Evidence-Based Pathway

Students who do not score proficient on one or more Keystone Exams can meet graduation requirements through this pathway by completing:

1. Locally established academic requirements in the Keystone-tested subject(s), and

2. Three pieces of evidence aligned with the student’s career and post-secondary goals, including:

One of the following:

• Qualifying score on the ACT WorkKeys, SAT Subject Test, AP Exam, or IB Exam

• Acceptance to a nonprofit post-secondary institution (not a 4-year college), with proof of ability to take college-level coursework

• industry-recognized credential (or)

• Successful completion of a concurrent enrollment or post-secondary course

Plus two additional pieces of evidence, which may include:

• Any of the items listed above (or)

• Completion of a service learning project

• Proficient/Advanced score on a Keystone Exam

• Letter guaranteeing full-time employment

• Certificate of completion from an internship or cooperative education program

• Meeting NCAA core course requirements with a GPA of 2.0 or higher

CTE Pathway (Career and Technical Education Students)

CTE Concentrators who do not score proficient on one or more Keystone Exams may meet graduation requirements by:

1. Successfully completing locally established academic requirements in the Keystone-related subject(s), and

2. One of the following:

   • Earning an industry-based competency certification related to their CTE program of study

   • Demonstrating a high likelihood of success on an approved industry-based assessment

   • Showing readiness for continued meaningful engagement in their CTE program

For more information, refer to PDE’s Act 6 guidance and the PDE website for details on statewide graduation requirements.