5 Graduation Pathways
5 PATHWAYS FOR GRADUATION
In accordance with Pennsylvania’s Act 158 of 2018, beginning with the graduating class of 2023,
students must meet statewide graduation requirements in one of five ways.
Pathway 2 - Keystone Composite Pathway: Earning a satisfactory composite score of 4452 on the Algebra 1, Literature, and Biology Keystone exams (while achieving at least a proficient score on at least one of three exams and no less than a basic on the remaining two). *A Non-Numeric Proficient (NNP) is not eligible for this pathway.
Pathway 2 - Keystone Composite Pathway Amended: Student received a Non-Numeric proficient exam score during the 2019-20 school year but took the remaining two exams. Must earn a satisfactory composite score of 2939 on two remaining exams (while achieving at least a proficient score on at least one of two exams and no less than basic on the remaining).
Pathway 3 – CTE Pathway: For Career and Technical Education (CTE) Concentrators, successful completion of Beaver’s Biology, Algebra I, and Literature 10 classes associated with each Keystone Exam on which the student did not achieve proficiency and attainment of an industry-based competency certification related to the CTE Concentrator’s program of study or demonstration of high likelihood of success on an approved industry-based competency assessment or readiness for continued meaningful engagement in the CTE Concentrator’s program of study. For further explanation of the CTE Pathway, please see PDE’s Act 6 guidance.
Pathway 4 - Alternate Assessment Pathway: Successful completion of Beaver’s Biology, Algebra I, and Literature 10 classes associated with each Keystone Exam on which the student did not achieve proficiency and one of the following:
Attainment of an established score on an approved alternate assessment
SAT: score of 1010
PSAT: score of 970
ACT: score of 21
ASVAB: the minimum score for admission to a branch of the armed services the year the student graduates
Attainment of an established score of 3 on an Advanced Placement Program (AP) in an academic content area associated with each Keystone Exam on which the student did not achieve at least a proficient score.
Successful completion of a concurrent enrollment course in an academic content area associated with each Keystone Exam in which the student did not achieve at least a proficient score.
Successful completion of a pre-apprenticeship program.
Acceptance in an accredited 4-year nonprofit institution of higher education and evidence of the ability to enroll in college-level coursework.
Pathway 5 - Evidence Based Pathway: Successful completion of Beaver’s Biology, Algebra I, and Literature 10 classes associated with each Keystone Exam on which the student did not achieve proficiency and demonstration of three pieces of evidence consistent with the student’s goals and career plans. Students must achieve a total of 3 pieces of evidence from the following list. Please note a maximum of 2 pieces of evidence is allowed from section e.
Attainment of established score on a SAT subject test, an Advanced Placement Program Exam:
SAT Subject Test: score of 630
AP Program Exam: score of 3
Acceptance in an accredited, other than 4-year nonprofit institution of higher education and evidence of the ability to enroll in college-level coursework.
Attainment of an industry-recognized credential.
Successful completion of a concurrent enrollment or postsecondary course
(Maximum of 2 accepted from this section): Satisfactory completion of a service-learning project; attainment of a score of proficient or advanced on a Keystone Exam; a letter guaranteeing full-time employment; a certificate of successful completion of an internship or cooperative education program; or satisfactory compliance with the NCAA’s core courses for college-bound student athletes with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.2.
Posted: Tuesday, May 23, 2023