New PA Graduation Requirements and the Keystone Exams

Presentation for the Parents of Algebra I Middle School Students

April 6, 2011

New PA Graduation Requirements apply to students starting with

the Class of 2015 (current 8th Graders)

What are the HS Graduation Requirements?

•Completion of Required Courses/Credits

•Complete a Culminating Project

•Demonstrate Proficiency in the Core Subjects

How Can Students Demonstrate Proficiency in the Core Subjects?

Keystone Exams Are Required for the

Class of 2015 (Current 8th Graders) and theClass of 2016 (Current 7th Graders)

Eventually, there will be 10 end-of-course Keystones Exams in:

Math: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II,

Science: Biology, ChemistryLanguage Arts: Literature, Composition, Social Studies: US History, Civics, and World

History

Students must proficiency on: 2 Math Keystones, 2 Language Arts Keystones, 1 Science Keystone, and 1 Social Studies Keystone

Each Keystone Exam will take 2 – 2 ½ hours. The Exam will be scored on a 100-point scale

Starting with the Current 7th and 8th Graders (cont.): Unfortunately, our accelerated math students will be “double tested” during middle school by taking both the Algebra I Keystone and the Math PSSAs.

If the Keystone Exam is “ready” when the student is completing the course, the student will be responsible for taking it. If the Keystone exam is “not ready” when the student is completing the course, he/she will be grandfathered into meeting the requirement.

The BASD will hold proficiency on the six required Keystone Exams as stand-alone graduation requirements instead of weighing the keystone exam as 1/3 of the course grade.

For the 2010-2011 School YearOur Current 8th Graders (Class of 2015) & 7th Graders (Class of 2016) are on the hook for taking the Keystone exam if they are taking the following courses:

Algebra I (Grade 7 or Grade 8)Biology

English LiteratureEnglish Composition

The Algebra I Keystone Exam…

•Will be given in two modules on May 3 and May 4. Each module will take 60-75 minutes

•Each module will consist of 18 multiple choice questions and 3 constructed response questions

•Each module will count at 50% of the final Algebra I Keystone Exam Score The Final Score will classify students as either Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, or Advanced

• Because Keystone “cut scores” are still being established, students taking the Algebra I Keystone Exam in 2010-2011 will be required to demonstrate completion only.

Re-Testing Eventually, students will be able to re-take the Keystone Exam in whole or in part

Eventually, students who do not test well can complete a project-based alternative assessment.Must attempt Keystones twiceCan raise the Keystone score to the Proficient cut score, but not beyond

IEP StudentsKeystone Exams apply to IEP students in the same manner as the PSSA.

Questions….