Keystone Testing

Overview

Under Chapter 4 regulations, high school students must successfully complete state assessments in Algebra I, Literature, and Biology. Students graduating in 2021 that are unable to score proficient or advanced on the Keystone Exams must follow the local policy to qualify for graduation.

For students graduating in 2022 and beyond, the following options exist to meet the statewide graduation requirement:

  • Keystone Proficiency Pathway
  • Keystone Composite Pathway
  • Alternate Assessment Pathway
  • Evidence Based Pathway
  • CTE Pathway

More information about these options can be found on the PDE website or by contacting the school counselor.

2024 Testing Dates

Biology

Spring May 15th to 16th

Algebra

Spring May 20th to 21st

Literature

Spring May 13th to 14th

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Keystone Exams?

The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to evaluate proficiency in academic content. Beginning with the class of 2020, students must demonstrate proficiency on the Algebra 1, Literature, and Biology Keystone Exams to graduate. Students will be offered multiple opportunities to take the Keystones throughout their high school careers.

Who Decided what Keystone Exams should Measure?

Groups of educators from across Pennsylvania chose the areas of knowledge on which the Keystone Exams are based. The groups included teachers, supervisors, curriculum directors, and college specialists. These groups also reviewed, edited, and approved exam questions.

What is Assessed on the Keystone Exams?

Pennsylvania adopted the Common Core Standards, standards aligned with expectations for success in college and the workplace. The Keystones are designed to measure these standards.

What are the PA Core Standards?

The State Board adopted Core Standards in July 2010. Since that time, the decision was made to craft a set of PA Common Core Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics. A group of Pennsylvania educators created a draft set of PA Common Core Standards. These new standards mirror the content and rigor of Common Core, but reflect the organization and design of the PA Academic Standards.

Additionally, the PA Core Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies and Science/Technical Subjects will be appended to their respective PA Academic Standards.

For more information visit https://www.pdesas.org/standard/commoncore

PSSA Testing

Overview

The PSSA is a state assessment in Mathematics, Reading, Writing, and Science given each year to Pennsylvania‘s public school students to measure students‘ achievement of the Pennsylvania Assessment Anchor Content Standards in grades 3-8. Each student completes four sections of questions written by experienced content experts in English Language Arts. The mathematics portion of the exams address five major reporting categories across four clusters. Questions for all portions of the test include both multiple choice and open-ended questions.

2024 Testing Dates

3rd Grade

Apr 21st to 25th

English & Language Arts

Apr 28th to 2nd

Math

4th Grade

Apr 21st to 25th

English & Language Arts

Apr 28th to 2nd

Math

5th Grade

Apr 21st to 25th

English & Language Arts

Apr 28th to 2nd

Math

Apr 28th to 2nd

6th Grade

Apr 21st to 25th

English & Language Arts

Apr 28th to 2nd

Math

7th Grade

Apr 21st to 25th

English & Language Arts

Apr 28th to 2nd

Math

8th Grade

Apr 21st to 25th

English & Language Arts

Apr 28th to 2nd

Math

Apr 28th to 2nd

Science

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PSSA?

The PSSA is a state assessment in Mathematics, Reading, Writing, and Science given each year to Pennsylvania‘s public school students to measure students‘ achievement of the Pennsylvania Assessment Anchor Content Standards in grades 3-8.

How were the items chosen for the PSSA?

All items were written by experienced content experts, field-tested by Pennsylvania students, and scored by teams of experienced trained readers with at least a four-year degree and a strong content-specific background. All items have been reviewed by committees of Pennsylvania teachers to determine their appropriateness for each grade level. Items were chosen based on professional experience and knowledge of the most commonly made mistakes by students at each level.

What grade level takes the PSSA?

Except for a very few students who meet specific criteria for participation in an alternate assessment, all students are included in the assessments as outlined here: ELA & Mathematics: Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8; Science: Grades 4 & 8

What is on the assessment?

Each student completes four sections of questions for the English Language Arts assessment. Some portions will be the same for all students, and some will consist of different groups of questions.

The mathematics assessment addresses five major reporting categories across four clusters. The reporting categories assessed and the proportion of questions in each reporting category vary by grade level. As a part of the assessment of Cluster A, Numbers and Operations, students in grades 4 through 8 respond to a set of questions without a calculator. Constructed ­response items may require the students to show all of their work (e.g., calculations, graphs, drawings) and/or to explain in writing how they solved the problems.

How are the results reported?

Two copies of the individual student report for all assessments will be sent to all schools and districts that participate for distribution to parents, teachers, school counselors, and/or principals. The state will not receive any report with individual names included.

School level reports will be used for curricular and planning purposes. School districts and charter schools may publish the results of PSSA testing for each school. The state will also release school-by-school assessment data.