1.  Keystone Exam Data 2014-2015 Welcome Parents and Community Members Mark Sliwka EDU573

2. The Keystone Exams  The Keystone Exams are state-mandated standardized tests in which students must earn a score of proficient or advanced in order to graduate.  Currently, there are three Keystone Exam subjects  Algebra I: Taken in either eighth or ninth grade  Literature: Taken in tenth grade  Biology: Taken in tenth grade

3. The Keystone Exams  Students take these exams at the conclusion of each course.  Failure to earn proficient or advanced could result in students having to complete expensive alternative assessments.  PDE is currently discussing how the alternative assessment would work in schools.

4. XY High School 2014-2015 Keystone Data  **(Sample Keystone Exam data

5. Keystone Exam Scores  A set of goals were developed by teachers and administration prior to the 2014-2015 school year  These goals were based on previous test data for the high school, the incoming students’ PSSA data, and available demographic data  XYHS fell short of the desired goals for the 2014-2015 school year

6. Consequences For Failing to Reach our Goals  It is critical that we maintain the achievement goals each school year in order to earn funding for additional resources and materials  In addition to the funding, students may need to complete an alternative assessment in order to earn the graduation requirement (this alternative assessment would likely be time consuming and expensive)  Students that fail to earn proficient or higher will be required to take a remediation course the following school year in replacement of an elective class

7. Plan for Action  In the 2014-2015 school year, XYHS began a pilot program for Algebra I remediation  The course was taken for a full year, and students took the exam again at the completion of the course  The data supported the program’s effectiveness  The English and Science departments are developing curricula for a similar program to remediate the Literature and Biology Keystone Exams

8. Algebra I Remediation Data  ** Data from students that took the full year, Algebra I remediation class would be found on this slide. This would illustrate the need to develop similar programs in Literature and Biology.

9. Tutoring Program  XYHS teachers are committed to the success of every student in our school.  Each Keystone department has developed an after-school tutoring program to provide students with additional support.  Students that attend the tutoring sessions regularly will receive rewards designed to encourage them to come back each week  Teachers will also help with homework and test prep

10. Incorporating Keystone Exam Material into the Curriculum  The Math, English, and Science departments have also altered the curriculum to include Keystone Exam prep  Students will complete constructed response questions regularly in class  Teachers explain not only the answer to the question, but the how and why that will allow students to answer all similar questions

11. We Need Your Help!  We can’t reach our goal without the help of parents, guardians, and community support  Teachers are required to maintain a website with homework and additional resources to help students practice at home  Sitting with students during homework time for support can truly be the difference between a basic score and a proficient score

12. We Need Your Help!  Encourage students to attend after school tutoring  Allow students to download the Keystone Exam prep smartphone app available in the ITunes Store for $.99  Stay in close contact with each teacher, we would love to hear from you!