Central Dauphin East High School

2013-14 Keystone Exams

Information & Resources

This page has been developed to provide parents/guardians and students information and resources on the Keystone Exams. We also invite you to visit www.education.state.pa.us or www.pdesas.org for more information as the Pennsylvania Department of Education continues to update its process for the Keystone Exams.

What are the Keystone Exams?

The Keystone Exams are state-mandated end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in various subjects. During the 2013-2014 school year the following Keystone Exams will be available: Algebra I, Literature and Biology. Writing Composition will also be piloted during this 2013-14 school year. The Keystone Exams are one component of Pennsylvania’s proposed system of high school graduation requirements starting with the class of 2017. They are also used at the school level to measure academic accountability for requirements outlined in “No Child Left Behind”.  The Keystone Exams replaced the 11^thgrade PSSAs starting in 2012-13. 

When are the Keystone Exams and Who takes them?

Winter 2013/2014:

Wave1: December 2-13, 2013

Literature: Any 11^th graders who not demonstrated proficiency and need to re-take the exam.*

          Algebra: All 11^th graders who have not demonstrated proficiency. Any 9^th or 10^thgrader who has completed Algebra I 
               and needs to re-take the exam.*

*Proficiency is demonstrated when the student receives a score of proficient or advanced on the Keystone Exam. In the event that a student does not achieve a score of proficient or advanced on one or more of the Exams, he/she will need to participate in a retake.