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Graduation Requirements

Act 158 of 2018 provides alternatives to Pennsylvania’s statewide requirement of attaining proficiency on the three end-of-course Keystone Exams (Algebra I, Literature, and Biology) in order for a student to achieve statewide graduation requirements.  Effective with the graduating class of 2023students have the option to demonstrate postsecondary preparedness through one of four additional pathways that more fully illustrate college, career, and community readiness.

Keystone Exams will continue as the statewide assessment Pennsylvania uses to comply with accountability requirements set forth in the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Although students will no longer be required to achieve proficiency on the Keystone Exams in order to meet statewide graduation requirements, students must take the Keystone Exams for purposes of federal accountability

For students graduating in 2023 and beyond, the five pathways listed below exist for meeting state high school graduation requirements.  For additional information, please visit ACT 158 Information page on PDE's website.

  1. Keystone Proficiency Pathway: Scoring proficient or advanced on all three of the Keystone Exams - Algebra I, Literature, and Biology. 
  2. Keystone Composite Pathway: Earning a satisfactory composite score on the Algebra I, Literature, and Biology Keystone Exams.  The Composite Pathway requirements are:
    • Score at least 1500 on one of the three Keystone Exams (proficient), and
    • Have an overall composite score of 4500 for all three Keystone Exams 
  3. Alternate Assessment Pathway: Successful completion of locally established grade-based requirements for academic content areas 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, PSAT, ACT, ASVAB);

    • Gold Level on the ACT WorkKeys Assessment;

    • Attainment of an established score on an Advanced Placement Program or an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program exam 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; or

    • Acceptance in an accredited 4-year nonprofit institution of higher education and evidence of the ability to enroll in college-level coursework.

  4. Evidence-Based Pathway: Successful completion of locally established grade-based requirements for academic content areas 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, including

    • One of the following

      • Successful completion of a concurrent enrollment or postsecondary course; and

      • Attainment of an industry-recognized credential; or

      • Acceptance to an accredited nonprofit institution of higher education other than a 4-year institution and evidence of the ability to enroll in college-level coursework;

      • Attainment of an established score on the ACT WorkKeys assessment, an SAT subject test, an Advanced Placement Program Exam, or an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Exam;

    • Two additional pieces of evidence, including one or more of the options listed above, or: 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 2.0. 

  5. CTE Concentrator Pathway:  For Career and Technical Education (CTE) Concentrators, successful completion of locally established grade-based requirements for academic content areas 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 a 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.