Graduation Requirements: Keystone Examinations
Through Act 158 of 2018 and Act 6 of 2017, students graduating from North Penn High School in 2023 and beyond will have the flexibility to meet statewide high school graduation requirements through one of five pathways that fully illustrate their college, career, and community readiness. The Statewide requirements for high school graduation require that students demonstrate proficiency on the Algebra I, Biology, and Literature Keystone Exams. Students who do not demonstrate proficiency on all three exams via the Keystone Proficiency Pathway must demonstrate their college, career, and community readiness via the Keystone Composite Pathway, the Career and Technical Education Pathway, The Alternative Assessment Pathway, or the Evidence-Based Pathway. For more information on these pathways, please CLICK HERE. NPSD students who have not demonstrated proficiency on the Keystone Exams are required to complete an intervention before a minimum of one retest of the applicable Keystone Exam. These exams are end-of-course assessments that measure student understanding of the eligible course content. Students who do not demonstrate proficiency in their second attempt at the Keystone Exams can choose to take the exam again or pursue one of the alternative pathways to graduation.
The Keystone exam replaces the final exam in all Keystone courses. For more information on these topics please reference the chart on page 18 of the printable version of the Middle School Program of Studies or see below. You may also visit www.pdesas.org or www.education.state.pa.us.
Algebra 1
Students who do not achieve proficiency at the end of Algebra 1 may complete a summer intervention course or retake Algebra 1 the following year. Students who score at the Basic level on the Algebra 1 Keystone at the end of Grade 9 will be enrolled in the Geometry Extended course in their sophomore year. Students who score Basic have the option of enrolling in the summer Keystone Algebra 1 intervention course prior to their sophomore year in order to take the 6 period per cycle Geometry course during their sophomore year. Students in the Geometry Extended retake the Keystone in May of the same year. Students who score at the Below Basic level on the Algebra 1 Keystone at the end of Grade 9 are required to take the Algebra 1 Foundations course in their sophomore year and will retake this Keystone in their Sophomore year. Students who score Basic on the May Algebra 1 Keystone exam in Grade 10 may choose to enroll in the summer Keystone intervention course.
Biology
Students who score below proficiency on the Biology Keystone at the end of Grade 10 will have the option to be enrolled in a one-semester “Selected Topics in Biology” course in their junior year. The Biology Keystone exam will be re-administered at the conclusion of the “Selected Topics in Biology” course. Students who are not yet proficient by the start of their senior year will be required to meet with their counselor and pursue an alternate pathway to graduation
English Literature
Students who score below proficiency on the English Literature Keystone at the end of Grade 10 will receive the intervention within the context of their English course in their junior year. Students who are not yet proficient by the start of their senior year will be required to meet with their counselor and pursue an alternate pathway to graduation.
Course Advancement
Course Advancement is a process that enables students to participate in higher level courses at the high school level. Students may enroll in and satisfy specific prerequisites for certain courses online during the summer through the Montgomery Virtual Program (MVP) facilitated by the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit. Although the financial responsibility and completion of coursework lies primarily with the student and his or her parents/guardians, students with demonstrated financial need should consult their guidance counselor for grant opportunities that may exist. For more information about Course Advancement, contact your child’s guidance counselor or click here.