Key provisions under the Chapter 4 proposal as adopted by the State Board of Education

1. Key provisions under the Chapter 4 proposal as adopted by the State Board of Education Curriculum Directors April 10, 12013

2. Pa Common Core Standards Elimination of State-prescribed Strategic Plan School Board Approval/Public Notification High School Graduation Requirements Keystone Exams Alternate Pathways for CTC students Parental Opt-out Project Requirement for Opt-out Students Student Transcripts Course Test-out Option Out of State Transfer Students Supplemental Instruction Retaking Keystone Exams Project Based Assessment Waivers for 12thGrade Students

3. I. PA Common Core Standards • Requires full implementation of the PA Common Core in English Language Arts, Mathematics, by July 1, 2013 • Includes Common Core Standards in Reading and writing in Science and Technology and Reading and Writing in History and Social Studies

4. II. Elimination of state-prescribed Strategic Plan Superintendents should realize that it is not an elimination of planning requirements, but rather the development of targeted plans aligned to the required elements with the CP. • The current requirement for districts is to complete state-prescribed strategic planning every six years is removed. • There is a 28-day public inspection and comment period prior to school board adoption for the remaining six required plans: • Teacher Induction • Student Services • Gifted Education • Professional Development • Special Education • Pre-kindergarten (if the school offers it)

5. III. School Board Approval/Public Notification • High school graduation requirements and any revisions must be approved by the board of school directors • Within six months of the effective date of the new Chapter 4 revisions, school boards are required to adopt new high school graduation requirements. Schools must provide a copy to: • Students • Parents and guardians • Available in school buildings • Posted to the school’s website

6. IV. High School Graduation Requirements • Class of 2017 • Course completion and grades • Demonstration of proficiency in each of the state standards not assessed by a state assessment • Required proficiency in Algebra I, Biology, and Literature Keystone Exams • Class of 2019 • Students also have to pass a Composition Keystone Exam • Class of 2020 • Students also have to pass a Keystone Exam in Civics and Government

7. V. Keystone Exams • Will be developed in five content areas for graduation purposes: Literature, Algebra I, Biology, Composition, and Civics and Government • Literature, Algebra I, and Biology will serve a dual purpose as both graduation and for state level accountability • Will replace PSSA exams given in 11th grade beginning 2012-2013 • Biology Keystone will be used as the high school level science assessment (not used to determine AYP) • Plan will be fully realized in 2016 when PDE will use the grade 11 enrollment population for measuring AYP

8. V. Keystone Exams continued • Since students will be taking these exams at various points between grades 7-11, PDE is defining the population as all Keystone Test Takers in grades 9, 10, and 11. • Students in grades 8 and below will be banked by the department. • Students in grades 9-11 in this current school year who take relevant courses will take the Keystone Exams for AYP purposes only.

9. V. Keystone Exams continued • Other Keystone Exams for voluntary use: Five additional Keystones will be developed by PDE for voluntary use by districts: • Geometry in 2016-2017 • History in 2017-2018 • Algebra II in 2018-2019 • Chemistry in 2019-2020 • World History in 2020-2021

10. VI. Alternate pathways for CTC students • New provisions will allow two alternate pathways • Keystone or Pennsylvania Skills Assessment (NOCTI exam) to meet the requirements for testing in Composition and Civics & Governments • Students who did not demonstrate proficiency on the Biology Keystone Exam may participate in a PBA without having to take the Keystone twice. These pathways relate to graduation requirements. • Students are required to take Keystone Exams for state accountability

11. VII. Parental Opt-out • Parents have a right to review assessment two weeks prior to administration of the test • In asserting a religious objection to the assessment a Parent/Guardian must explain their objection in their written request

12. VIII. Project requirement for opt-out students • Students must take project-based assessment for each subject area required for graduation

13. IX. Student transcripts • PSSA scores will continue to be included • 2016-2017 – the performance level not score for each Keystone will be included • Transcript will designate if level was achieved by Keystone or PBA

14. X. Course test-out options • Can take a Keystone prior to taking the associated course if student had an advanced score on the most recent associated PSSA • With a student who transfers in from another state also may take a Keystone Exam prior to taking a course provided the student has achieved a comparable score to the PSSA’s advanced level.

15. XI. Out of state transfer students • Schools determine proficiency based on coursework and assessments aligned with the academic standards assessed by a Keystone Exam to satisfy graduation requirements • Subject to guidance developed by the secretary and approved by the State Board of Education

16. XII. Supplemental instruction • Must participate in supplemental instruction for non proficient scores prior to re-taking the Keystone/module • Must be consistent with the educational program • Schools must continue providing supplemental instruction either until the student demonstrates proficiency in the subject area or until the student begins participating in a project-based assessment.

17. XIII. Retaking Keystone Exams • No limit on the number of times a student can retake the exam or the exam module so long as the student receives supplemental instruction • A student who scores proficient or advanced is not permitted to retake the test.

18. XIV. Project Based Assessment • For students who are unable to demonstrate proficiency on an exam or an exam module or whose parents opted them out of taking a Keystone Exam. • Will be developed for: • Literature • Algebra I • Biology • Composition • Civics and Government • Administered by schools and scored by statewide panels • Successful completion satisfies high school graduation requirements • 12th graders may move to PBAs after just one unsuccessful attempt

19. XV. Waivers for 12th grade students • Secretary of Education may waive graduation requirements based on a written request from the chief school administrator on a case-by-case basis for two reasons: • A senior unsuccessful in completing PBA • A student experiencing extenuating circumstances including serious illness, death in immediate family, family emergency, or transfer from an out-of-state school in grade 12. The waiver request would certify that the student • has met the school’s local requirement for graduation • has not demonstrated proficiency on a Keystone Exam or module • has participated in satisfactory manner in supplemental instruction services • Has not successfully completed a PBA

20. Discussions