Background Information & Context
In 2010, Pennsylvania passed a law that supported the creation of end-of-course assessments, known as “Keystone Exams.” These exams would serve two purposes: (1) establishing high school graduation requirements for students throughout the state; and (2) providing a way for the state and the federal government to hold high schools accountable for educating students.

Students began taking the tests in 2012, with a plan to have Keystones become a graduation requirement in 2017. In February 2016, Pennsylvania delayed the requirement to pass Keystone exams in order for a student to be eligible to graduate. Students were still required to take the exams, with limited exceptions, but they did not have to pass them.

In 2018, Governor Wolf signed Senate Bill 1095 into law that shifted away from the state's reliance on standardized testing as a graduation requirement. Senate Bill 1095 extended the options for students to demonstrate graduation readiness by providing alternate pathways. These requirements were set to take effect beginning with the graduating class of 2022.

In November 2020. Governor Wolf signed Senate Bill 1216 Act 136 into law, which once again pushed back the graduation requirement. The graduation requirements are set to take effect for the class of 2023. 

Keystone Exams
The Keystone exams are an end-of-course assessment in Biology, Algebra I, and English 10. Each exam is aligned to the PA Common Core Eligible Content and is designed to evaluate student success in learning the skills and knowledge associated with the study of each of those subject areas. The intention of the Keystone Exam is to serve as a graduation requirement and method of feedback for students, parents, and schools. The Keystone Assessments also serve as a very valuable resource to provide one snapshot of a student’s mastery of specific course material.

Keystone Pathways: Successful completion of the three Pennsylvania Keystone Exams are an acceptable pathway for graduation:

Option 1 - Keystone Proficiency Pathway: 

Scoring proficient or advanced on each Keystone Exam - Algebra I, Literature, and Biology.

Option 2 - Keystone Composite Pathway: 

Earning a composite score of 4452 (three scores must average 1484) on the Algebra I, Literature, and Biology Keystone Exams (while achieving at least a proficient score on at least one of the three exams and no less than a basic score on the remaining two).

Alternate Assessment Pathways:

Option 3 - Alternate Assessment Pathway:

Successful completion of locally established grade-based requirements for academic content areas associated with each Keystone Exam on which the student did not achieve proficiency and one of the following:

• Attainment of an established score on an approved alternate assessment (SAT, PSAT, ACT, ASVAB);
• Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): score 1010            
• PSAT: score of 970        
• ACT: score of 21     
• Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery exam: the minimum score to gain admittance to a branch of the armed services in the year the student graduates.
• Attainment of an established score on an Advanced Placement Program in an academic content area associated with each Keystone Exam on which the student did not achieve at least a proficient score;
• Successful completion of a dual enrollment course in an academic content area associated with each Keystone Exam in which the student did not achieve at least a proficient score;
• Successful completion of a pre-apprenticeship program
• Acceptance in an accredited 4-year nonprofit institution of higher education and evidence of the ability to enroll in college-level coursework. 

Advanced Placement (AP) exam: score of 3 on an AP exam related to one of the following courses. Note: If an AP Exam Score of 3 or better is used, each test can only be used once.  For example, if you scored a 3 in AP Chemistry, you can only use that for either Algebra OR Biology – not both.

Option 4 - Evidence Based Pathway: 

Successful completion of locally established grade-based requirements for academic content areas associated with each Keystone Exam on which the student did not achieve proficiency and demonstration of three pieces of evidence consistent with the student's goals and career plans, including one of the following: 

• Attainment of an established score on a SAT subject test, an Advanced Placement Program Exam:  
• SAT Subject Test: score of 630                       
• AP program exam: score of 3
• Acceptance to an accredited nonprofit institution of higher education other than a 4-year institution and evidence of the ability to enroll in college-level coursework;
• Attainment of an industry-recognized credential; or       
• Successful completion of a concurrent enrollment or postsecondary course; and
• Two additional pieces of evidence, including one or more of the options listed above, or: verification of satisfactory completion of a service learning project; attainment of a score of proficient or advanced on a Keystone Exam; a letter guaranteeing full-time employment; a certificate of successful completion of an internship or cooperative education program; or satisfactory compliance with the NCAA's core courses for college-bound student athletes with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.2. 

Option 5 - CTE Pathway:  

• For Career and Technical Education (CTE) Concentrators, successful completion of locally established grade-based requirements for academic content areas associated with each Keystone Exam on which the student did not achieve proficiency and attainment of an industry-based competency certification related to the CTE Concentrator's program of study;
• Or demonstration of a high likelihood of success on an approved industry-based competency assessment or readiness for continued meaningful engagement in the CTE Concentrator's program of study (Nocti, NIMS, etc.).  
• For further explanation of the CTE Pathway, please see PDE's Act 6 guidance.

Students with an IEP -

The IEP team will discuss which pathway the student will take to meet graduation requirements. More information can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Education's website.