Pennsylvania Assessment Information
Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)
The annual Pennsylvania System School Assessment is a standards-based, criterion-referenced assessment which provides students, parents, educators and citizens with an understanding of student and school performance related to the attainment of proficiency of the academic standards. These standards in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science and Technology identify what a student should know and be able to do at varying grade levels. School districts possess the freedom to design curriculum and instruction to ensure that students meet or exceed the standards' expectations.
Every Pennsylvania student in grades 3 through 8 is assessed in English Language Arts and Math. Every Pennsylvania student in grades 5 and 8 is assessed in science.
Individual student scores, provided only to their respective schools, can be used to assist teachers in identifying students who may be in need of additional educational opportunities, and school scores provide information to schools and districts for curriculum and instruction improvement discussions and planning.
In compliance with §4.51(a)(4) of the PA School Code the State Board of Education approved, "specific criteria for advanced, proficient, basic and below basic levels of performance."
***Science PSSA 2025
As part of the Commonwealth’s transition to the new STEELS standards (Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability), the 2025 PSSA Science test will be administered in grade 5 and grade 8—no longer grades 4 and 8. This spring’s Science assessment will be administered as a census field test in which all students are required to participate.
Individual student data and reports will not include Science results this spring. The data from the 2025 census field test will be used to produce the 2026 Science PSSA that will be fully aligned to the STEELS standards. As such, the 2025 PSSA District Student Data Files, Individual Student Reports (ISRs), Summary Reports, and Data Interaction will not include Science results. Instead, LEAs will receive aggregated Science data that will show how a student performed on the field test items in comparison to the entire testing population.
The Keystone exams were created to replace the Grade 11 PSSA and serve as one component of Pennsylvania's statewide high school graduation requirement. Keystone Exams will help school districts guide students toward meeting state standards. The exams are end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in the subject areas of Algebra I, Literature, and Biology.
Keystone Exam Scale
| Content Area | Below Basic | Basic | Proficient | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algebra 1 | 1200-1438 | 1439-1499 | 1500-1545 | 1546-1800 |
| Biology | 1200-1459 | 1460-1499 | 1500-1548 | 1549-1800 |
| Literature | 1200-1443 | 1444-1499 | 1500-1583 | 1584-1800 |
Pathways to Graduation- Graduation Requirements Act 158
Act 158 of 2018 (Act 158) and Act 6 of 2017 (Act 6) amended §121 of the Pennsylvania Public School Code, establishing five different pathways by which students may meet the statewide graduation requirements under Title 22 Chapter 4. The Keystone Proficiency and Keystone Composite Pathways rely on student performance in
three academic areas (Algebra I, Biology, and Literature), proven to be predictive of postsecondary success, whereas the Career & Technical Education (CTE) Concentrator, Alternative Assessment, and Evidence-Based Pathways were designed to more fully illustrate students’ college, career, and community readiness through other student artifacts and experiences.
In response to the pandemic, Act 136 of 2020 (Act 136) further amended §121 to delay implementation of Act 158 by one year, making statewide graduation requirements first effective with the graduating class of 2023.
All students 21 years of age or younger legally entitled to attend a commonwealth public school and enrolled in school entities as defined are subject to Pennsylvania graduation requirements. Special considerations are provided for students in specific situations; however, no students are exempted.
Five Pathways to Graduation
1. Keystone Proficiency Pathway: Score proficient or advanced on each Keystone Exam (Algebra I, Literature, and Biology).
2. Keystone Composite Pathway: Earn a composite score (of 4452) between the three Keystone Exams (Algebra I, Literature, and Biology). The scores must include a score of Proficient or Advanced on at least one Keystone exam and at least Basic on the other two.
3. Career & Technical Education Pathway: Successful completion of locally established, grade-based requirements in the Keystone aligned courses (Algebra I, English 10, Honors ELA 9, and Biology) and be enrolled in a CTE program with a high likelihood or attainment of an industry-based competency certification.
AND (one of the following)
Attainment of an industry-based competency certification related to the CTE Concentrator’s program of study
Demonstration of a high likelihood of success on an approved industry-based competency assessment
Readiness for continued meaningful engagement in the CTE Concentrator’s program of study
4. Alternative Assessment Pathway: Successful completion of locally established, grade-based requirements in the Keystone aligned courses (Algebra I, English 10, Honors ELA 9, and Biology).
AND (one of the following)
Earn an established score on the SAT, PSAT, ACT, ASVAB
Earn an established score on a Keystone related AP Exam (Calculus AB or Statistics, Literature, Biology)
Successful completion of a dual enrollment course in an academic content area associated with each Keystone Exam in which the student did not achieve a proficient score.
Successful completion of a pre-apprenticeship program
Provide an unconditional acceptance letter from an accredited 4-year institution of higher education
5. Evidence Based Pathway: Successful completion of locally established, grade-based requirements in the Keystone aligned courses (Algebra I, English 10, Honors ELA 9, and Biology).
AND (one of the following)
Attainment of established score on one of the following:
SAT subject test (630 or better)
ACT WorkKeys (Silver level or better)
Advanced Placement Exam (3 or better on any AP exam)
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Exam ( 3 or better on any IB exam)
Successful completion of a dual enrollment or postsecondary course
Attainment of an industry-recognized credential
Provide an unconditional acceptance letter from an-other-than- 4-year institution of higher education or
Institution of higher education for college level course work.
AND (two additional pieces of evidence from the following)
Attainment of a score of proficient or advanced on a Keystone Exam
Successful completion of a service-learning project
Letter guaranteeing full-time employment or military enlistment
Completion of an internship, externship or cooperative education program
Compliance with NCAA Division II academic requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions: Pennsylvania High School Graduation Requirements (link)