The debate over the Keystone Exams and how they will be implemented is on! Districts basically have two options to choose from regarding the implementation of the Keystone Exams. Option 1: Use the Keystone Exam as the final exam (counting for at least 33.3% of the course grade) in the ten courses that will eventually have corresponding state-created Keystone Exams. Option 2: Use the Keystone Exams as stand-alone graduation exams that have no bearing on course grades but must be passed (at least six of them) independently in order to graduate. Using the Keystone Exams as course final exams would allow higher than average marking period grades to increase a low Keystone Exam scores and it would reduce the amount of total testing students experience. Unfortunately with the mandate that the Keystone Exam count for at least 33.3% of the course grades, some students would fail the entire course and not receive academic credit for the course if they received a very low Keystone Exam score. In this situation, not only would a student have to retake the Keystone Exam, but they would also have to retake the course to receive academic credit. Implementing the Keystones as a stand-alone graduation requirement requires students to score in the proficient or advanced range on the exams. By choosing this option, students’ scores on these exams could not be countered or impacted by good course grades.

Under the current regulations for the Keystone Exams, students who receive testing accomodations for the PSSA would also receive them for the Keystone Exams. The Keystone Exams are required for students in this year's 8th grade. Students in 8th grade would be required to complete four of the six Keystone Exams. This year's 7th grade would be required to complete five of the six exams and finally, students in this year's 6th grade would be required to complete all six. As for overall graduation rate, I expect it to decline slightly as some students will be unable to pass the Keystone Exams and unfortunately, unable to meet proficiency through the State's project-based assessment. However, the district will provide all possible remediation to assist students in passing the exams.

The Department of Education has informed school districts that if school districts would like to count the Keystone Exam for less than 1/3 of the total course grade, school districts would have to have the other assessments utilized in determining the course grade validated. The validation process is viewed by many to be difficult and costly. This will likely result in most school districts using the Keystone Exams as final exams, counting one-third or more of the entire course grade, or the utilization of the exams as stand-along graduation requirements.