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 7th 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 5th 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 Algebra 1, Biology, Literature

2011 Winter Algebra II, Geometry, Composition, US History

2015 Spring 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 11th grade.

Changes to AYPPending approval by the U.S. Dept. of Ed. The four PSSA tests administered in 11th and 12th grade retests

will be discontinued ( 2012-2013 School year) 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 Any 7th or 8th grader taking English Composition, Algebra 1, Biology, and/or Literature would need to take a Keystone Exam as a final exam for the course.

2011-2012 Any 7th, 8th or 9th 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.

2012-2013 Any 7th, 8th ,9th or 10th 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.

2013-2014 Any 7th, 8th ,9th 10th or 11th 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.

2014-2015 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]