Chapter 4 Changes

Graduation Requirements Keystone Exams Upper Merion Area School District Presentation by Jane Callaghan 6/21/10

Approval of Chapter 4 Regulations

 On January 9, 2010 changes regarding high school graduation were made to 22 PA. CODE CH 4.

 The changes create stronger graduation requirements, as well as new supports for students and school districts.

Requirements for Graduation

Effective with the graduating class of 2014-15      Course completion and grades Completion of a culminating project Demonstration of proficiency as determined by the school district in each of the state academic standards not assessed by a state assessment  

Demonstration of proficiency in literature (reading), English composition, math, science and social studies as determined through one or more of the following: Use of state-developed Keystone Exams Local “validated assessments”



Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate Exams Districts will decide which assessments they wish to use for graduation purposes.

Requirements for Graduation

The requirements will be phased in: Class of 2014-2015 (This year’s 7 th graders) must demonstrate proficiency in these areas – the test is assessment is administered when students complete the course) • English composition • literature • algebra I • biology Class of 2016-2017 (This year’s 5 th graders) must demonstrate proficiency on 6 of ten tests • English composition and literature • Two of three mathematics (algebra I, geometry, algebra II) • one of two sciences (biology or chemistry) • one of three social studies (American history, civics and government or world history)

Development of Keystone Exams

PDE will develop 10 Keystone Exams that districts may use for graduation purposes and administer as final end of course exams. Development of the 10 exams will be phased in as follows: 2010-2011 School year 2011 Winter 2015 Spring Algebra 1, Biology, Literature Algebra II, Geometry, Composition, US History Chemistry, Civics & Government, World History

Keystone Exams as Part of Graduation Requirements

 If used:  Keystones will be administered to students at the completion of a course and will count toward 1/3 of the final grade  Keystone tests will cover Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, English Literature, Composition, American History, World History, Civics, Biology, and Chemistry  Students must be proficient in six out of 10 exams to graduate

The Impact of Keystone Exams

 Each Keystone Exam will be be graded as a normal PSSA test would be graded; Advanced, Proficient, Basic, and Below Basic.

 If a student scores below basic, he or she is given the score of 0 for the entire test.

 The Keystones will be offered three times per year.

The Impact of Keystone Exams

 Unlike final exams, students will be able to retake the tests in whole or in part.  If a student fails to reach proficient after three tries a project-based assessment may be given to meet the graduation requirement. Points earned through the project would be added to their highest Keystone Exam score. Projects would be administered at the local level and scored at a regional level by panels composed of teachers, principals and curriculum specialists.

 Most students should have the opportunity to meet the Keystone graduation requirement prior to the end of the 11 th grade.

Changes to AYP Pending approval by the U.S. Dept. of Ed.

     The four PSSA tests administered in 11 th and 12 th will be discontinued ( 2012-2013 School year) grade retests These PSSA tests will be replaced by three Keystone Exams  Algebra I  Literature (Reading)  Biology The Algebra I and Literature exams

will be mandatory as the measure used to determine Adequate Yearly Progress

The Biology exam

will be mandatory

consistent with Federal law requiring a high-school level science exam Use of these and other Keystone Exams will remain voluntary for the purposes of determining course grades and eligibility for high school graduation as provided in the menu of available options to demonstrate readiness for high school graduation.

Keystone Exams Timeline

2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015

Any 7 th or 8 th

grader taking English Composition, Algebra 1, Biology, and/or Literature would need to take a Keystone Exam as a final exam for the course.

Any 7 th , 8 th or 9 th

grader taking Algebra 1, Biology, Literature, Algebra II, Geometry, Composition, US History would need to take a Keystone Exam as a final exam for the course.

Any 7 th course.

, 8 th ,9 th or 10 th grader taking Algebra 1, Biology, Literature, Algebra II, Geometry, Composition, US History would need to take a Keystone Exam as a final exam for the Any 7 th course.

, 8 th ,9 th 10 th or 11 th grader taking Algebra 1, Biology, Literature, Algebra II, Geometry, Composition, US History would need to take a Keystone Exam as a final exam for the Any student taking Algebra 1, Biology, Literature, Algebra II, Geometry, Composition, US History, Chemistry, Civics & Government, World History would need to take a Keystone Exam as a final exam for the course.

Keystone Exam Student Supports

 Beginning in the 2011-12 school year, a student who does not pass one or more of the Keystone Exams must be offered supplemental instructional support.  Students who score below "proficient" must be provided opportunities to retake the test or modules of the test.

Standards Aligned System

 http://www.pdesas.org/Assessment/Keystone

Grade 8 Algebra Issues

Source: [22 PA. CODE CH. 4 ] Academic Standards and Assessment [40 Pa.B. 240] [Saturday, January 9, 2010]