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State Accountability Requirements

Career Readiness

As part of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015, all Pennsylvania students are required to show evidence of completion of career exploration and preparation activities through elementary, middle and high schools. The district collects evidence of student learning in grades 3 through 11. By the end of their junior year, all 11th grade students are required to have 20 pieces of evidence collected from their academic experiences in grades 3-11.

Keystone Exams

The Pennsylvania State Keystone Exams meet the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015. As part of the federal accountability required by the ESSA, all Pennsylvania public school students must participate in the statewide exams by 11th grade. The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in various subjects. Students enrolled in Algebra I, Biology and English 10 will take the Keystone Exam in May, as an end-of-course exam, as per Department of Education regulations.

PA Act 158 of 2018 Graduation Requirements

The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires all students in the Class of 2023 and beyond to fulfill one of the five Act 158 pathways in order to be eligible for graduation.

1. Keystone Proficiency Pathway: Demonstrate proficiency on each of the three exams (Algebra, Biology, Literature)
2. Keystone Composite Pathway: Earn a combined score of 4452 or better in aggregate for the three Keystone Exams. Students must take all three exams to qualify for this pathway
3. Career and Technical Education (CTE) Concentrator Pathway:

Required:

One of the Following Options:

Demonstrate completion of Keystone trigger course associated with each Keystone Exam in which the student did not demonstrate proficiency
  • Attainment of an Industry-Based Competency Certification related to CTE program of study,
  • Demonstrate high likelihood of success on an approved industry-based competency assessment no later than by the end of 11th grade, or the first semester of 12th grade if enrolled in a 1-year program,
  • Demonstrate readiness for continued meaningful engagement in CTE Program of Study no later than the end of 11th grade, or the first semester of 12th grade if enrolled in a 1-year program


4. Alternative Assessment Pathway:

Required:

 One of the Following Options:

Demonstrate completion of Keystone trigger course associated with each Keystone Exam in which the student did not demonstrate proficiency
  • Attain an established score on an approved alternative assessment,
  • Attain an established score on an Advanced Placement program exam in an academic content area associated with each Keystone Exam,
  • Successful completion of a concurrent enrollment course in an academic content area associated with each Keystone Exam
  • Successful completion of a pre-apprenticeship program
  • Acceptance in an accredited non-profit institution of higher education and evidence of the ability to enroll in college-level coursework.

 

5. Evidence-Based Pathway: Demonstrate completion of Keystone trigger course associated with each Keystone Exam in which the student did not demonstrate proficiency AND provide three pieces of evidence as noted below.

Section 1

(Must have 1 piece of evidence from this section)

Section 2

(No more than two pieces of evidence from this section)
  • Attain an established score on the ACT WorkKeys
  • Attain an established score on an Advanced Placement exam
  • Attain an established score on an IB program exam
  • Successful completion of a concurrent enrollment course
  • Successful completion of a postsecondary course
  • Attain an industry-recognized credential
  • Accepted to an accredited other-than- 4-year non-profit institution of higher education with evidence of ability to enroll in college-level credit-bearing coursework
  • Attain a score of proficient or advanced on a Keystone Exam
  • Satisfactory completion of an approved service-learning project (Students may submit two service-learning projects)
  • Certificate of successful completion of an internship, externship, or cooperative education program
  • Satisfactory compliance with the NCAA core courses for college-bound student athletes
  • Guarantee of full-time employment

If you have any questions regarding the pathways to graduation, please see your counselor.