A Parents’ Guide to Keystone Biology Exam and Project Based Assessments

(PBA)

Keystone Biology

What is the Keystone?

Who takes the Keystone?

When/Where do students take the Keystone?

Why the Keystone?

How many times can you take the Keystone?

How is Keystone used?

What is the Keystone?What is a PBA?

Keystone is an end-of-course exam/test to evaluate and demonstrate student proficiency in achieving the PA State Core Standards for Biology, Algebra I and Literature

PBA is an alternate project based assessment used in place of the Keystone to evaluate and demonstrate student proficiency in achieving the PA State Core Standards for Biology, Algebra I and Literature

Graduation Requirement for students. Measure student “Achievement” success. A piece of testing data that determines

academic “Growth” for students A piece of testing data used to measure

Teacher Effectiveness, TPP. A piece of testing data used to measure

School Effectiveness, SPP.

How is the Keystone used?

Who takes the Keystone? or completes a PBA (project based assessment)?

Algebra I: 8th, 9th, 10th for first time test takers. 9th, 10th and 11th for retakes.

Literature: 10th for first time test takers. 11th for retakes.

Biology: 9th, 10th for first time test takers. 10th, 11th for retakes.

PBA- 11th, 12th if not proficient on Keystone.

Where do they take the Keystone?

Students will take the keystone in a PHS school setting with trained proctors/administrators

Online @ PAHS Notices, Testing Tips, Rules/

Regulations of testing are provided to parents and students.

When do they take the Keystone?

The Keystone is administered 3 times throughout the school year

The testing windows are during December/January (Winter), May (Spring), August (Summer)

Winter tests are for retakes Spring tests are for all end of year first time

test takers and retakes. PHS does not test during summer test

window

Why the Keystone?

Aligns to PA Core Standards – show’s student

mastery of required skill sets in each subject

Helps us to know where we need to adjust our

curriculum

State and Local Graduation Requirements:

Student must pass each Keystone (or PBA in

subject) to graduate and receive their diploma Local requirements started Class of 2015

State requirement Class of 2017

How many times can you take the Keystone?

Generally, PHS students take the Keystone

up to 3 times before moving to a PBA.

Exceptions are often determined by an IEP or

administrative decision. The State of PA

requires at least 2 Keystone attempts.

Remediation is required prior to the 2nd

Keystone attempt.

How do we score at PHS?

Keystone Achievement Algebra I 2013: 69.7% 2014: 78.66% Literature 2013: 70.1% 2014: 78.9% Biology 2013: 54.6% 2014: 78.3% 2013 reflects Class of 2014 (grad.) 2014 reflects Class of 2015 (seniors) Achievement is measured your junior

year.

How do we score at PHS?

Keystone Growth Algebra I 2013: 8.3 DB 2014: 6.5 DB Literature 2013: -7.4 R 2014: 0.0 G Biology 2013: 5.9 DB 2014: 8.7 DB Each year reflects only first time test

takers and PVAAS Data. DB Dark Blue, High Growth G Green,

On Target Growth, R Red Did Not Grow

How do we score at PHS?

School Performance Profile Overall: 2013: 70.2 Green Overall: 2014: 75.3 Green Achievement and Growth contribute the

most to the SPP score. Learn more at PDE website.

Biology Preparation @ PAHS

Curriculum Alignment to PA State Standards

Academic Biology Course Standard Biology Course with a Team

Taught option Keystone Biology Lab Reactive and

Proactive Remediation Keystone Biology Lab to complete

PBA’s

Biology Preparation @ PAHS Improvements

All Biology students have a lab (3 periods/ cycle)

Ms. Zinzella hired to direct reactive and proactive remediation

Teacher supported Biology Testing Modules keystonescience.wikispaces.com website for

additional support ~2 teachers per lab class remediation/PBAs

Biology Preparation @ PAHS Improvements

Developed review packets for each major exam module

Use of Study Island/CDT Data driven instruction based on

strength/weakness on tests/ benchmarks/ CDTs

Student are required to make a notebook to review material

PAHS Keystone Biology LAB

Students receive course credit for efforts

in reactive and proactive remediation.

Grade based on Honor, Pass, Fail

PAHS Keystone Biology LAB

Uses data from eMetric, PVAAS, SI, CDT

Shows weakness/ strengths in module work to help tailor review for each student (10th/11th)

PBA students work on project

PDE & SAS

PDE – Pennsylvania Department of Education SAS – Standards Aligned System Keystone Info on PDE website:

www.education.state.pa.us

Keystone Info on SAS website:www.pdesas.org

keystonescience.wikispaces.com

Practice exams and questions Videos Powerpoints Study guides Worksheets Diagrams Charts Info will be on Canvas 2015-2016

What is Study Island?

Educational website that aligns to keystone tests

Provides lessons, practice questions, flashcards, games, tests, etc.

Accessible from anywhere with wi-fi or internet

Assignment are tailored to student needs Use benchmarking to assess those needs

What is CDT?

Stands for Classroom Diagnostic Tools

Test very similar to Keystone Exam

Give probability of scores on individual

modules prior to taking test

Provided by PA Dept. of Education

Used to individualize instruction to

identify strengths/ weaknesses

PVAAS, eMetric

PVAAS stands for PA Value Added Assessment Score

Measures probability of passing standardized tests based on a multitude of factors---

-emetric is a data collecting device that provides analysis of previous test scores

Can indicate factors that affect preparation and testing

What is a PBA?

Stands for Project Based Assessment A biology project designed for students

to master standards and content. Work through a variety of activities, questions, labs, power points, etc and submit to PDE for evaluation.

Available to students who do not pass Keystone Exam after 2 or 3 attempts

PA teacher designed currently being completed in packets. Will be on-line for students in Class of 2017.

PBA Requirements

Students must complete all parts of PBA. Considered a secure assessment. Evaluated and submitted by the biology tutor

(PHS biology teacher) of the PBA Once acceptable to the tutor, PBA is sent to

the state level for evaluation Students are notified if pass/fail. If passed

student met grad. Requirements. If failed, corrections and resubmission is required.

PBA Requirements Administered like the Keystone Exam

secure assessment. All work completed must be monitored and supervised by tutor.

Tutors cannot assist in anyway other than directions, remedial instruction, and evaluation.

PHS tutors can evaluate at various check points of the PBA and direct student review.

On average, a PBA takes 6 to 8 hours to complete.

Test Taking Tips Take your time! There is NO time limit Use online tools to cross out answers, enlarge

diagrams, highlight material, etc. Use process of elimination NEVER leave an open response question blank Search for answers and hints throughout the test

via other test questions! If given a long paragraph, find the question before

reading it. Check Your Work – All of it! If you are nervous, breathe and relax before

beginning Just try your best!