FYI---Delay of the Keystone Exams

From:   Carolyn C. Dumaresq, Deputy Secretary
        Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

Re:     Delay of the Keystone Exams

The purpose of this message is to insure a clear understanding of the proposed one year delay of the implementation of the Keystone Exams and to restate the Department's expectations with regard to the spring testing cycle.  The Keystone exams will be implemented in May 2011 as planned. All seventh and eighth grade students enrolled in Algebra I and Biology (where applicable) in school districts that plan to use the Keystone Exam as part of their future graduation requirements must participate in the program this spring.  According to the regulations, these students will be exempt from the proficiency requirement since cut scores will not be set until after school ends.

All other students enrolled in classes for which a Keystone Exam is available are encouraged to participate in both the operational and field tests.  Data from the May 2011 operational administration will be used to determine cut scores for the performance levels for these assessments.  In addition, participating districts will receive useful data about the performance of their current students on the new exams.

The State Budget proposal for next year (2011 - 2012), presented by Governor Corbett, proposes a one-year pause in the development and implementation of Keystone Exams.   It is important to note that this delay will not adversely impact students.  As noted above, in developing this initiative the State Board of Education anticipated that fiscal challenges might require course corrections in implementation of the reform and included a waiver provision to ensure that no student is negatively affected by a delay in implementation.  The additional time also will allow districts to make certain that local curriculum is fully aligned with the content assessed by Keystones and to provide associated professional development.

The Department's work on other components of the new high school graduation requirements - including development of the project-based alternative assessments - will continue to move ahead.   Additionally, the voluntary model curriculum, classroom diagnostic tools and other SAS resources - key components of the broader reform - will continue to serve students and schools during 2011-2012.

Sincerely,

Carolyn C. Dumaresq, Ed.D.