1. Title 22 - Education Chapter 4 Regulations Updates published March, 2014

2. Planned Instruction Public Schools provide instruction throughout the curriculum so that students may develop knowledge and skills in the following areas: *Note that the regulations do not specify specific “courses” to be offered. English Language ArtsMathematicsScience & Technology Environment & EcologySocial Studies (civics & government, geography, economics and history) Arts & Humanities Career education and work Health, safety & Physical Education Family & Consumer Science

3. Common Core Standards Reminder that Common Core only addresses Mathematics and English/Language Arts. All of the other academic standards (ie. Science and Technology, Social Studies, Career Education and Work, etc.) remain unchanged.

4. Curriculum – Primary Grades Instruction aligned to academic standards must be provided to all students in each of the following areas every year: Language Arts Mathematics Science & Technology Environment & Ecology Social Studies Health, Safety and Physical Education The Arts

5. Curriculum – Intermediate Grades Instruction aligned to academic standards must be provided to all students in each of the following areas every year. Language Arts Mathematics Science & Technology Environment & Ecology Social Studies Health, Safety and Physical Education The Arts Plus – Understanding of use of library and other information sources

6. By the end of elementary…. every student must receive instruction in: History of the United States History of the Commonwealth Geography Civics These topics do not need to be separate courses. They can be included as units of study within other planned courses at the elementary level.

7. Curriculum - Middle Level Instruction aligned to academic standards must be provided to every student in the middle level program (note that the regulations do not say every course must be offered every year). Language Arts Mathematics Science & Technology Environment & Ecology Social Studies Health, Safety and Physical Education The Arts Information Skills (traditional and computer-based research) Career Education Technology Education Family & Consumer Science

8. Curriculum – High School Instruction aligned to academic standards must be provided to every student in the High School program (note that the regulations do not say every course must be offered every year). Language Arts Mathematics Science & Technology Environment & Ecology Social Studies Health, Safety and Physical Education The Arts Applications of Microcomputers and Software Family & Consumer Science

9. Curriculum – High School The following must be available to every student in the high school: Vocational-Technical Education Business Education (developing business and information technology skills.) World Languages (minimum of two languages with at least one being offered in a 4 year sequence – not necessarily all in the high school) Technology Education (technological problem solving and impacts of technology on society)

10. Graduation Requirements “High school graduation requirements and revisions to them shall be approved by a school entity’s governing board by September 2, 2014, and a copy of the requirements shall be published and distributed to students, parents and guardians. Copies of the requirements also shall be available in each school building or on each school entity’s publicly accessible web site.” - Rules and Regulations, Title 22-Education, chapter 4.

11. Graduation Requirements for Classes of 2014 - 2016 Course Completion and Grades Culminating Project Demonstration of proficiency in ELA and Math as demonstrated on state assessments and/or local assessments

12. Graduation Requirements for Classes beginning in 2017 Course Completion and Grades Demonstration of proficiency in each academic standard area not assessed by the state Pass Keystone Exams in ELA, Algebra I and Biology (or complete the project-based assessment) or Pass associated AP or IB exam

13. A few notes: A school must allow a student to take a Keystone Exam prior to taking the course associated with the exam provided that the student scored Advanced on the most recent associated PSSA assessment administered to the student.

14. A few notes: A school must allow a student who transfers from another state to take a Keystone Exam prior to taking the course associated with the exam provided that the student scored comparable to the PSSA’s Advanced performance level on a comparable assessment administered by another state.

15. A few notes: A school may allow a student who scores at the advanced level on a particular Keystone Exam prior to taking the course to be granted course credit for the course without having to complete the course.

16. Waiver of Graduation Requirements The Chief School Administrator may waive graduation requirements on a case-by-case basis for a student who was not successful in completing graduation requirements or for extenuating circumstances. Each district must submit a report to PDE annually indicating the number of waivers issued.