Pennsylvania’s Keystone Exams:A Change to Graduation Requirements

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 2016-2017.

Approval Chapter 4 Regulations

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.

Pennsylvania’s Keystone Exams

1) Course completion and grades 2) Completion of a culminating project, which may include completion of a

college application process; 3) Demonstration of proficiency as determined by the school district in each

of the state academic standards not assessed by a state assessment4) 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 Effective with the graduating class of 2014-15

Requirements for GraduationThe requirements will be phased in:

Classes of 2015 and 2016 (This year’s 7th and 8th graders)must demonstrate proficiency in these areas

English composition, literature, algebra I and biology

Class of 2017(This year’s 6 graders)must demonstrate proficiency on 6 of ten tests

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).

The Impact of Keystone ExamsKEYSTONE EXAMS ARE

May be COURSE FINAL EXAMS

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

May be 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 highest 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 may 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. However – keystone score will be on 100 point scale – not to be confused with percentage correct score.

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 two, 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 Algebra 1, Biology, Literature

2011-2012 Algebra II, Geometry, Composition, US History

2014-2015 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.

Field Test and Operational Assessments

Field Test OperationalAlgebra I, Biology, Literature November 1-19, 2010 May 2011

Algebra II, Geometry, English Composition May 2011 Winter 2011-12

US History Fall 2012 May 2013

Chemistry, Civics & Govt., World History May 2015 TBD

Keystone Exams Key Dates

The Classroom Diagnostic Tools provide a diagnosis of student’s strengths and weaknesses to guide instruction and/or remediation.

• Available to students in grades 6 through high school

• Online assessments delivered in a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) format

• Multiple-choice items• Multiple assessments a year• Real-time reporting• Reports dynamically linked to curriculum

resources in SAS

CDT Overview

Field Test and Operational AssessmentsField Test Operational

Mathematics April 26-May 28, 2010

October 18, 2010

Literature October 4-29, 2010 Winter 2010/2011

Science October 4-29, 2010 Winter 2010/2011

Writing/Composition May 2011 Fall 2011

Social Studies Fall 2012 Winter 2012/2013

CDT Key Dates

17

Group Diagnostic Map – Algebra I

18

Student Diagnostic Map

PIMS data was uploaded to DRC’s test setup system (eDIRECT) Student-level data Teacher-level data (not required for field test events)

School/district personnel will use eDIRECT to set up and manage all online testing

Data Management