Assessment & Accountability
Keystone Exams Explained
The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in the subject areas of Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Literature, English Composition, Biology, Chemistry, U.S. History, World History, and Civics and Government.
Beginning in the 2012-2013 school year, Keystone Exams in the following subjects were developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and made available for use by school districts, AVTSs and charter schools, including cyber charter schools:
- Algebra I
- Literature
- Biology
The Keystone Exams are one component of Pennsylvania's statewide high school graduation requirements. Keystone Exams will help school districts guide students toward meeting state standards.
(Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education)
Statewide High School Graduation Requirement
On Oct. 24, 2018, Senate Bill 1095 expanded the options for students to demonstrate postsecondary readiness using four additional pathways that more fully illustrate college, career, and community readiness. These pathways listed below are the statewide graduation requirement taking effect for the graduating class of 2023.
While there are no statewide graduation requirement for the classes of 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, students, parents, and guardians should reference local policies governing graduation, which are not preempted by the moratorium on the statewide requirement. Beginning in the 2021-22 school year, the statewide graduation requirement will apply, as will any other locally-established policies and requirements.
Keystone Requirements for Pathways to Graduation
Students can meet the statewide graduation requirement by successfully completing one of these five state defined PATHWAYS:
For students graduating in 2023 and beyond, the following options exist to meet the statewide graduation requirement:
Successful completion of locally established grade-based requirements for academic content areas associated with each Keystone Exam on which the student did not achieve proficiency and one of the following:
• Attainment of an established score on an approved alternate assessment (SAT, PSAT, ACT, ASVAB);
• Gold Level on the ACT WorkKeys Assessment;
• Attainment of an established score on an Advanced Placement Program or an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program exam in an academic content area associated with each Keystone Exam on which the student did not achieve at least a proficient score;
• Successful completion of a concurrent enrollment course in an academic content area associated with each Keystone Exam in which the student did not achieve at least a proficient score;
• Successful completion of a pre-apprenticeship program; or
• Acceptance in an accredited 4-year nonprofit institution of higher education and evidence of the ability to enroll in college-level coursework.
One of the following:
• Attainment of an established score on the ACT WorkKeys assessment, a SAT subject test, an Advanced Placement Program Exam, or an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Exam;
• Acceptance to an accredited nonprofit institution of higher education other than a 4-year institution and evidence of the ability to enroll in college-level coursework;
• Attainment of an industry-recognized credential; or
• Successful completion of a concurrent enrollment or postsecondary course; and
Two additional pieces of evidence, including one or more of the options listed above, or: satisfactory completion of a service learning project; attainment of a score of proficient or advanced on a Keystone Exam; a letter guaranteeing full-time employment; a certificate of successful completion of an internship or cooperative education program; or satisfactory compliance with the NCAA's core courses for college-bound student athletes with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
For further explanation of the CTE Pathway, please see PDE's Act 6 guidance.
More information about the new statewide graduation requirement effective with the graduating class of 2023 is available on the PDE website.
Additional Resources:
More Information | Frequently Asked Questions | Keystone Exam Scale Score Ranges
Keystone Exams Opt-Out Information