Compromise On Keystone Exams Makes Progress In Protecting PA Students

After discussions with State Board of Education Chair Joe Torsella and key state education officials, PSEA and the State Board of Education have reached an agreement on the issue of Keystone Exams.

“In light of the significant progress made by the State Board of Education and education stakeholders to modify the Keystone Exams proposal, PSEA will withdraw its opposition to the plan,” said PSEA President Jim Testerman. “We believe that enough of the tenets of the Keystone Exam 2.0 proposal have been incorporated so that the exams no longer jeopardize Pennsylvania students’ academic achievement and future success.”

A key element of the agreement centers on preventing Keystone Exams from being high-stakes gatekeeper exams for graduating seniors. Through discussions, we have agreed that the test will not count for more than 33% of a student’s course grade. Most significantly, the Keystone Exams, if selected by a school district, will be graded on a continuum that reflects differences in performance, rather than an all-or-nothing, pass-fail basis.

For more information visit www.psea.org/KeystoneExams