The Keystone Exams Program is Pennsylvania's new statewide assessment program to replace the PSSA exams. The Keystone Exams will test students in several subjects, including Algebra I, Literature, Biology, and English Composition. Students will be required to demonstrate proficiency on the Keystone Exams as part of their graduation requirements, either through the exams counting as a percentage of their course grade, an independently validated local assessment, or passing scores on the standalone exams. The timeline for rolling out the Keystone Exams begins in 2014-2015 with the classes of 2015 and 2016.

1. Keystone Exams ProgramDavid LavinWilkes UniversityEDIM 510

2. What is the Keystone Exams ProgramThe Keystone Exams are state exams that will be given as end of course assessments Pennsylvania.The Keystone Exams are considered an upgrade from the PSSA exams, which only assess Math, Reading, Writing, and Science.Tests will be given in the following subject Areas: Algebra I; Algebra II; Geometry; Literature; English Composition; Biology; Chemistry; U.S. History; World History; and Civics and GovernmentKeystone Exams will be a portion of Pennsylvania’s graduation requirementshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/65383594@N02/5977387117/in/photostream

3. Proposed Graduation RequirementsCompletion of courses and gradesCompletion of culminating projectProficiency in each state standardProficiency in each main subject as determined by:OPT A: State-developed Keystone Exam as at least 33% of Course Grade OROPT B: Independently-validated Local Assessment OROPT C: Keystone Exam as a stand-alone graduation requirement OROPT D: AP or IB Examhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/cassetteject/632746608/sizes/z/in/photostream/

4. If Option A is chosen then… Students of the classes of 2015 and 2016 will demonstrate proficiency in Alg I, Biology, Literature, and English Comp with a Keystone Final Exam (worth 33% of course grade)For classes of 2017 and beyond students must:Pass 2 English coursesPass 2 Math coursesPass 1 Science coursePass 1 Social Studies coursehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/drwurm/3601000223/

5. Timeline for Keystone Examshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/baggis/5211045350/

6. Potential ProblemsDistricts differ in when they offer courses (e.g. one district offers U.S. history in 9 other offers in 11)Block scheduling- as of now tests will be given at end of school yearTime- PSSA testing is in a 1 month block + foresight tests+ NOW Keystone and Practice Keystone Examshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/krypto/509911344/

7. Pennsylvania Department of Education. (2011). Pennsylvania department of education: Keystone exams program overview. Retrieved from http://static.pdesas.org/Content/Docume nts/Keystone_Exam_Program_Overview.pd fReferences