1. 2010 SAS Institute: Building Bridges and Practice: December 5-8, 2010
NOTE FOR PRESENTER:
This presentation has been created to provide an overview of Pennsylvania’s new graduation requirements. Feel free to use the presentation as is, or customize the presentation to meet the needs of your meeting.
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2010 SAS Institute: Building Bridges and Practice: December 5-8, 2010

2. Table of Contents Big Picture: How Does It All Connect?
Keystone Exams: The 33% Option
Keystone Exams: The Stand-Alone Option
Local Assessments: Independently Validated
National Assessments: Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate

3. Graduation Requirements
School district graduation policies must at least include:
NOTE FOR PRESENTER:
The new requirements are not a major shift from the current requirements. Instead, the Department of Education has simply added showing proficiency in each main course subject, with four pathways to get there (see last box on slide graphic), to the requirements.
Each district in Pennsylvania will decide which of the four assessment pathways works best for its students and can vary between course subjects.
Keystone Exam counting as at least 33% of course grade
Keystone Exam as a stand-alone graduation requirement
Independently-validated local assessment
AP/IB exam
A variety of options for assessments provides school districts with maximum flexibility for implementation, measuring achievement, and supporting struggling students.

4. Graduation Policy Phases
PHASE ONE: Students graduating in
2015 and 2016 must demonstrate
proficiency in:
English Composition
Literature
Algebra I
Biology
PHASE TWO: Students graduating in
2017 and beyond must demonstrate
proficiency in:
Both English Composition and Literature
Two of three Mathematics (Algebra I, Algebra II, or Geometry)
One of two Sciences (Biology or Chemistry)
One of three Social Studies (American History, Civics and Government or World History)
The cut scores will be determined after the first administration of the exams, therefore there should be no impact on the student’s grade for that particular course for this year.

5. KEYSTONE EXAMS: THE 33% OPTION NOTE FOR PRESENTER:
If administering a Keystone Exam, each district will choose to include the exam score as at least 33% of a student’s course grade (see slides 7-19); or, to require proficiency on a Keystone Exam as a stand-alone graduation requirement, which allows the district discretion on how to weight the assessment in course grades (see slides 20-21).

6. Option 1: Keystone Exams
A district may choose to administer a state-developed Keystone Exam in
core subjects that would serve as the final exam and count for at least 33%
of the course grade.
Beginning with the graduating class of 2015, Keystone Exams are:
Administered at the end of the course
Counted for at least 1/3 of the overall course grade
Available for students to retake either in their entirety or just a portion (module) 3 times during the year: winter, spring, and summer
NOTE FOR PRESENTER:
If a district chooses to use a Keystone Exam as part of the course grade for purposes of meeting state graduation requirements, the score will count for at least 33 percent of the grade.
Students may retake a Keystone Exam to raise their score; after two attempts, students can complete a project-based alternative to demonstrate their knowledge in the subject matter.
Following approval of by the U.S. Department of Education, all districts would need to administer three Keystone Exams – Algebra I, Biology, and Literature – for Adequate Yearly Progress.
Students should take the Keystone Exam when they complete the related coursework, which may be as early as grades 6, 7, or 8 for Algebra I, for example.

7. Alignment to Standards
Keystone Exams align with Pennsylvania’s Standards Aligned System (SAS) and the Common Core State Standards
The Keystone Exams are simply a new assessment tool for Pennsylvania school districts
Test questions for the Keystone Exams in English and Math will be guided by Eligible Content on the Standards Aligned System website (
NOTE FOR PRESENTER:
Implementation of the new graduation requirements is well under-way, along with planning for the newly-adopted Common Core State Standards.
On July 1, 2010, Pennsylvania became the 18th state to adopt the national Common Core State Standards for English language arts (ELA) and mathematics set forth by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). To date, nearly 40 states have adopted the Standards. ( (
By meeting high, consistent standards, students in Pennsylvania will leave high school better prepared for the next phase of life, whether that is further education or career.
The Common Core State Standards are closely aligned with the existing Pennsylvania Standards and support the Standards Aligned System (SAS).

8. What’s Happening When: Fall 2010
Field Testing:
Field testing of Algebra I, Biology, and Literature Keystone Exams
The exams will be made available to mostly high school students and some middle school students in participating school districts
Course
Field Test
Algebra I, Biology, Literature
Fall 2010

9. What’s Happening When: Spring 2011
Field Testing:
Field testing of Algebra II, Geometry, and English Composition Keystone Exams
Operational Administration:
Operational administration of Algebra I, Biology, and Literature begins
Course
Field Test
Algebra II, Geometry, English Composition
Spring 2011
Students that must take the exam:
Any 7/8 grade student currently taking Algebra I or Biology MUST take the exam
Recommended:
9th grade students taking English Composition
10th grade students taking Literature
Exams administered in Early May 2011.
Course
Operational
Algebra I, Biology, Literature
Spring 2011

10. What’s Happening When: Spring 2011
Operational and Field Test Exam Schedule

11. What’s Happening When: Five-Year Implementation Plan
NOTE FOR PRESENTER:
The end-of-course Keystone Exams will be developed in 10 core subjects: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Biology, Chemistry, English Composition, Literature, Civics and Government, U.S. History, and World History.

12. 100-Point Scale
This may change
Each Keystone Exam is graded on a 100-point scale. To satisfy the graduation Requirements, students must score either Proficient or Advanced.
Performance Level
Points
Below Basic
Basic
50-69
Proficient
70-89
Advanced
90-100
NOTE FOR PRESENTER:
Students scoring Proficient or Advanced on a Keystone Exam will meet the new graduation requirements for that subject.
If a student scores Basic on a Keystone Exam, he/she can receive points earned for their final grade, but will not have satisfied the graduation requirement.
If a student performs Below Basic on a Keystone Exam, the student would not receive points toward their course grade and should retake the exam at the earliest opportunity.

13. Test Format Keystone Exam Questions: Keystone Exam Scoring:
Includes multiple-choice questions and constructed-response, or open-ended questions.
Algebra I and Biology: 60%-75% of the total score from multiple-choice questions and;
25%-40% of the total score from constructed-response questions
English Composition: 20% of the total score will come from multiple-choice, and 80% from constructed-response questions
Keystone Exam Scoring:
Each correct multiple-choice question is worth one point
Partial credit could be given on constructed-response questions, depending on the rubric
Keystone Exam Format:
Online and paper/pencil formats available for all Keystone Exams
Each district will individually determine if online, paper/pencil or both formats will be used
Each exam will take approximately 2 to 2.5 hours to complete
NOTE FOR PRESENTER:
All questions will be aligned to the Keystone Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content found on the SAS website.

14. PAPER/PENCIL KEYSTONE EXAMS
Accommodations
ONLINE KEYSTONE EXAMS
Audio versions of the Math and
Science Keystone Exams will be
available online
A magnifier will be available for
students to use on all versions of the
online Keystone Exams
PAPER/PENCIL KEYSTONE EXAMS
Appropriate accommodations will be
permitted based on recommendation
from the student’s teacher(s) or
Individual Education Program (IEP)
Questions can only be read out loud in
Keystone Math and Science Exams and
only if it doesn’t interrupt other
students’ testing
Only Math and Science Keystone
Exams will be translated into Spanish
All accommodations allowable for the paper/pencil PSSA testing, are also allowable for the paper/pencil Keystone Exams.
Keystone accommodations guidelines will be available in spring 2011

15. Preparation Resources
Item and Scoring Sampler:
Sample questions and scoring for each Keystone Exam will be available to help prepare both students and teachers. The Item and Scoring Sampler will include:
Multiple-choice and constructed-response practice questions
Examples of how constructed-response questions will be scored
The Item and Scoring Sampler will be available on the SAS website ( beginning spring 2011
PA Online Assessment Student Tutorial:
Each online Keystone Exam will have a PA Online Assessment Student Tutorial
Learn the properties and features of the PA Online Assessment system
Full exploration of the system will take 30 minutes
NOTE FOR PRESENTER:
The Item and Scoring Sampler will allow students to practice answering questions.
For educators, User Guides and Directions for Administration Manuals will be delivered hard-copy to the administration building of each district. They will also be posted on the PA eDIRECT web site ( These Manuals will be available about a month out from the exam administration window.

16. Preparation Resources
Online Tools Training:
Each online Keystone Exam will have an Online Tools Training
Provide an introductory experience using the online assessment software
Sample questions allow students to use and familiarize themselves with the online tools available while taking the exam
Students should be given at least 30 minutes to go through all the sample questions
User Guides and Directions for Administration Manuals:
User guides will be delivered as hard copies to the administration building of each school district
Guides also will be available online on the PA eDIRECT website (
DRC Customer Service:
Students are strongly encouraged to use both the PA Online Assessment Student Tutorial and the Online Tools Training prior to taking any online Keystone Exam

17. Retesting
Students can take the Keystone Exam up to 3 times per school year.
Students who don’t score ‘proficient’ can retake the entire test or just the module they didn’t pass
Retesting scoring will be based on the highest module scores, so it is in the best interest of the student to retake the entire Keystone Exam
If a student has not achieved proficiency after 2 attempts, he/she can complete a project-based alternative to demonstrate his/her knowledge in the subject matter
NOTE FOR PRESENTER:
The regulation allows students who do not score “proficient” or above to retake the Keystone Exam (or Keystone Exam Module) at the next available testing date.
The regulation does not preclude “proficient” or “advanced” students from retaking a Keystone Exam at the district’s discretion.
Students will have the option to retake the entire Keystone Exam or a specific module.
Based on advice from the state’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), it is in the student’s best interest to retake the entire exam since the new score will be based on the two highest module scores.
This provision of the regulation underscores what all of us are working toward for every child: proficiency in the state’s academic standards. Districts, principals, and teachers will continue to decide which extra supports – supplemental instruction – make sense for students—before or after school tutoring, peer tutoring, in-class assistance, homework assignments, differentiated supports, etc.

18. Alternative Option: Project-Based Assessment
A student who does not achieve proficiency on a Keystone Exam after 2
attempts will be eligible to complete a project-based assessment.
Projects will be:
Aligned with Keystone Exam modules
Developed by the department and administered by school staff
Scored by regional panels of educators

19. THE STAND-ALONE OPTION
KEYSTONE EXAMS:
THE STAND-ALONE OPTION
NOTE FOR PRESENTER:
On September 16, 2010 the State Board of Education adopted a provision providing that Districts interested in separating Keystone scores from course grades for purposes of state graduation requirements could comply with the regulation by requiring proficiency or above on Keystone Exams themselves.
If administering a Keystone Exam, each district will choose to include the exam score as at least 33% of a student’s course grade (see slides 7-19); or, to require proficiency on a Keystone Exam as a stand-alone graduation requirement, which allows the district discretion on how to weight the assessment in course grades (see slides 20-21).

20. OPTION 2:Stand-Alone Requirement
Some districts may choose to require proficiency on a Keystone Exam as a
stand-alone graduation requirement.
This allows:
District discretion on how to weigh the assessment in course grading – meaning that the 33 % weight is not required.
Districts to be deemed approved for validation requirements in a content area without having to undergo a local validation process.
NOTE FOR PRESENTER:
Districts that make the local policy decision to use a Keystone Exam as a stand-alone graduation requirement in a given content area would be “deemed approved” for validation requirements in that content area.
As with all administrations of Keystones, students who are not proficient should receive targeted, supplemental instruction and retake the exam at the earliest possible opportunity. After two administrations, students could complete a project-based alternative assessment to raise their score and meet graduation requirements. (

21. LOCAL ASSESSMENTS: INDEPENDENTLY VALIDATED

22. Option 3: Local Assessments
Validation Requirements:
To meet the state graduation requirements all local assessments must:
- Align with state academic standards
- Meet rigorous expectations, comparable to those used for the Keystone Exams
- Be administered to all students
Validation Cost Share:
For districts creating local assessments, the state will provide:
- Technical assistance to help meet criteria
- Half the cost of the assessment validation
Validation Timeline:
A detailed timeline will be available on the SAS website ( in spring 2011

23. NATIONAL ASSESSMENTS:
AP/IB EXAMS

24. Option 4: AP/IB National Assessments
Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exams can be taken in place of a Keystone Exam or a locally developed assessment
A high score on either exam in a related content area will fulfill the new graduation requirements
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will release policy guidance regarding the minimum score on each AP or IB exam that will satisfy graduation requirements
NOTE FOR PRESENTER:
A high score on either exam in a related content area will fulfill the new graduation requirements.

25. Graduation Requirements Resources
Visit the new Graduation Requirements section of the SAS website for updated information, resources, and events:
NOTE FOR PRESENTER:
On the SAS website, there’s a section dedicated to the new graduation requirements with information like:
Frequently asked questions
Exam schedules
Policy regulation
Fact sheets
And more!
Helpful resources about Keystone Exams and the Common Core State Standards on the SAS web site.

26. Contact Us
For more information, questions, or comments about Pennsylvania’s new Graduation Requirements  

27. 12/8/10