Act 158 Pathways to Graduation
Achieving a proficient score on all three of the PA Keystone Exams (Algebra, Biology, and Literature) is one way for Pennsylvania students to demonstrate their proficiency for post-secondary work. In addition, however, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has established alternative pathways by which a student is able to demonstrate post-secondary readiness. This is a high school graduation requirement beginning with the class of 2023 and beyond.
PDE Statewide High School Graduation Requirement
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5 Pathways for a Student to Demonstrate Proficiency |
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1 |
Score proficient or advance on each Keystone Exam: Algebra I, Biology, Literature |
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2 |
Earn a satisfactory composite score on the Algebra I, Biology, and Literature Keystone Exams. |
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3 |
Earn a passing grade on the courses associated with each Keystone Exam, and satisfactorily complete one of the following: (SAT, PSAT, ACT, ASVAB, Gold Level ACT WorkKeys), advanced coursework (AP, IB, concurrent enrollment courses), pre-apprenticeship, or acceptance in a 4-year nonprofit institution of higher education for college-level coursework. |
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4 |
Earn a passing grade on the courses associated with each Keystone Exam, and pass the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) or the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) assessment in an approved Career and Technical Education concentration. |
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5 |
Earn a passing grade on the courses associated with each Keystone Exam, and demonstrate readiness for postsecondary engagement through three pieces of evidence from the student’s career portfolio aligned to student goals and career plan. Examples of evidence will include ACT WorkKeys, SAT subject tests, AP, IB, and concurrent coursework, higher education acceptance, community learning project, completion of an internship, externship or co-op or full-time employment. |
Below is a visual flow chart of the different Keystone Pathway options.
PDF of Keystone Pathways to Graduation
