Keystone Exam Information

Keystone Exam Information

The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments from the Pennsylvania Department of Education designed to assess proficiency in the subject areas of Algebra I, Literature, & Biology.

2023-2024 Spring Keystone Exam Testing Window

May 13-24, 2024

Spring 2023-2024 Testing Schedule:

May 13th (T) Biology Review (AM), Biology Testing (PM)

May 14th (W) Biology Testing (AM), Literature Testing (PM)

May 15th (R) Literature Testing (AM), Algebra I- 8th Grade (AM), Algebra I High School (PM)

May 16th (F) Algebra I High School (AM), Algebra I- 8th Grade (PM)

 

 

2023-2024 Winter Keystone Exam Testing Window

Wave 1 December 4-15, 2023    Wave 2 January 3-18, 2024

Winter 2023-2024 Testing Schedule:

December 5 - Keystone Algebra I Test (All Day)

December 6 - Keystone Biology (All Day)

January 9 - Keystone Literature (PM only)

January 10 - Keystone Literature (AM only)

Wave 1 Make-Up Testing: December 8th (D8 testing room)

Wave 2 Make-Up Testing: January 12th (D8 testing room)

 

Students who have tested previously but not scored proficient or advanced will be tested during the Winter Wave 1. All juniors will take the Literature exam during Winter Wave 2.

 

Keystone Testing Facts and Q & A

 

Chapter 4 Guidelines for Parent Opt Out from State Assessments

Chapter 4 of Title 2 of the Pa. Code (22 Pa. Code 4.4) provides for the right of any parent/guardian to excuse a child from the state assessment if, upon inspection of the testing materials, the parent/guardian finds the assessment to be in conflict with the parent’s/guardian’s religious beliefs. This is the only basis under Chapter 4 rules for a parent/guardian to excuse a child from the statewide assessments.

The following process below must be followed when requesting a child be excluded from statewide testing:

• Two weeks prior to the testing window, parents/guardians are to contact the school to request to review the assessment in question. The school will schedule a time for the review to occur in the presence of the DAC or SAC.
• Parents/guardians must sign the Parents Confidentiality Agreement, which will remain on file at the school. 
• If, after viewing the test, parents/guardians find the test to be in conflict with their religious beliefs and wish to request that their child be excluded from the assessment, the parents/guardians must submit in writing a request to the Superintendent stating their objection.
• Upon receipt and review of the request, parents/guardians will be notified of the decision regarding their request. 

This process is to be completed for each assessment as well as each child for which the parents/guardians wish to submit a religious objection form. A general exemption from all assessments across all grades and subjects will not be accepted. 

Once tests have been received by the LEA, assessments must be available for review by parents and guardians from the time of receipt through the end of the testing window. The assessment must be reviewed on district property and district personnel must be present at all times. Districts must provide a convenient time for the review. This may include an evening review time, if requested. Proper security and confidentiality of the assessment must be maintained at all times. DRC Customer Service 1-800-451-7849 pacustomerservice@datarecognitioncorp.com pa.drcedirect.com

Students who are opted out by means of religious exemption must instead meet the state's graduation requirements by fulfilling one of the approved graduation pathways. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Education Handbook for Assessment Coordinators Winter 2022–2023 Outlines the following procedures as well:

• Sites testing only online should contact DRC to order a set of paper and pencil assessments for the purposes of parental review. These booklets must be returned to DRC following the return instructions outlined in this handbook.
• Parents and guardians must sign the Parent Confidentiality Agreement prior to examining test materials. A copy of this must be locally maintained. (Do not send this statement to PDE or DRC.) Parents and guardians may not photocopy, write down, or in any other manner record any portion of the assessments, including directions. The Parent Confidentiality Agreement can be found in Appendix C of this handbook. 
• If after reviewing the test parents/guardians find the test to be in conflict with their religious beliefs and wish their student(s) to be excused from the test, the parents/guardians must provide a written request to the Superintendent or Chief Executive Officer that states they do not want their child tested because the test conflicts with their religious beliefs. If a parent/guardian requests their child be opted out for religious reasons any time during testing the request should be honored. Bubble in the correct bubble on the student’s answer document. If the parent/guardian’s request comes after the test has been returned to DRC the request cannot be honored.

If the student is excused from the state assessment due to parental or guardian request, school personnel must provide an alternative learning environment for the student during the assessment and select “Student’s parent/guardian requested in writing that the student be excluded from participation after reviewing the assessment and determining it to be in conflict with the parent’s/guardian’s religious beliefs.”

If a student’s parent/guardian chose to exclude the student from participation based on reason(s) other than conflict with religious beliefs, even though there is no provision for this exclusion in Pennsylvania regulation: Even though PDE does not recognize parental refusal as an allowable exclusion, if a parent refuses to have a child participate in the assessment and does not provide a reason in accordance with Chapter 4 rules, school personnel should select “Student’s parent/guardian chose to exclude the student from participation based on reason(s) other than conflict with religious beliefs, even though there is no provision for this exclusion in Pennsylvania regulation.” LEAs should check with their solicitor to determine if they will accept refusals, and if they do, determine the procedures to be followed.

Other Exemption: Although there is no other apparent reason for student non-participation in the assessment, this category is provided for the rare exception. The most notable exception is student refusal to participate at the time of testing. Refusal represents a defiant act on the student’s part despite school personnel’s every effort to obtain compliance. If you have exhausted all options and believe you have a case that fits into this category, select “Other.”