Keystone Exam Participation:  

The Keystone Exams are end of course assessments designed to assess proficiency in the subject areas of Algebra 1, Biology, and Literature. Students will be rostered to sit for the exams based on the following scenarios:  

• They are currently enrolled in Algebra 1B, Biology, and/or English 10 for the Spring 2025 semester. 
• They have not yet met proficiency in one or more of the Keystone exams during a previous school year and already completed Algebra 1B, Biology, and/or English 10.

 

Spring 2024-2025 Keystone Exam Administration:  

• The Keystone Exams will be facilitated using paper and pencil.  A few students needing unique accommodations related to 504 Plans/IEPs will test online.
• Students must bring sharpened pencils, a calculator, and an independent reading book on test days.

 

CBSD School District Keystone Exam Schedule Spring 2024-2025
To facilitate the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Keystone Exams, all Central Bucks High Schools will operate on 2-hour delay schedule on the days listed below.   Students who are scheduled to sit for a Keystone Exam and students who take the PASA exam will report to the building by 7:25am.  AM MBIT students who are scheduled to sit for a Keystone Exam will report to their respective HS at 7:25am for testing. AM MBIT students taking a Keystone Exam will not attend MBIT on days they are taking a Keystone Exam. When non-testing AM MBIT students arrive at CB West from MBIT, they will report to study hall in the auditorium until the end of 2nd block at 11:22AM. PM MBIT students will remain at CB West until the end of 2nd block. The shuttle to MBIT will depart at 11:55AM.  District transportation will run on a full day schedule. All non-testing students should report to school at 9:25am. If a non-testing student is unable to obtain their own transportation to school, the student should take their normal transportation to school and report to study hall upon arrival.
Keystone Literature Module 1	Keystone Literature Module 2	Keystone Algebra Module 1	Keystone Algebra Module 2	Keystone Biology Module 1	Keystone Biology Module 2
5/12/2025	5/13/2025	5/14/2025	5/15/2025	5/16/2025	5/19/2025
2-Hour Delay Keystone Exam Bell Schedule   Keystone Exam Testing 7:25-9:20 115 Minutes Block 1 9:25-10:21 56 Minutes Block 2 10:26-11:22* 56 Minutes L&L 11:25-12:30** 65 Minutes Block 3 12:33-1:29 56 Minutes Block 4 1:34-2:30 56 Minutes

 

 

Graduation Requirements as Outlined by PA Act 158: 

 

To graduate from a public high school in Pennsylvania, all students must achieve one of the approved graduation pathways.  Passing all three Keystone Exams (Literature, Algebra 1, and Biology) is the first pathway and the pathway all students should focus on achieving.  Passing the Keystone Exam for each of these courses demonstrates that a student has met the expected understanding of course content taught during each of these three classes.  If a student is unable to pass one or more Keystone Exam or does not take a Keystone Exam for any reason, they must graduate by an alternative pathway.

 

An explanation of the Pennsylvania Graduation requirements including Keystone Exam and Alternative Pathways is provided below with additional details provided on our district website at the following link Assessment / Graduation Requirements and the PA Keystone Exams (cbsd.org) ( www.cbsd.org/page/299 ). 

 

Graduation Pathways as Outlined by PA Act 158: 

 

PA Act 158 states that students in the Class of 2024 and beyond are required to demonstrate proficiency in Algebra 1, Literature, and Biology to earn a diploma by completing one of the following pathways:  

• 1. Keystone Proficiency Pathway: Passing all three Keystone Exams (Algebra 1, Biology, and Literature). Passing is defined as a score of “Proficient” or “Advanced”.  
  2. Composite Score Pathway: The Keystone Exam three score composite requires students to score proficient or advanced on at least one Keystone Exam and score at least Basic on the other two Keystone Exams with a minimum composite score of 4452.  The Keystone Exam two-score composite is an alternative that exists for students who completed Algebra 1 or Algebra 1B in the spring of 2020 and never took the Algebra 1 Keystone Exam as a direct result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.  These students can meet the composite score pathway by earning a combined score of 2939 on the Biology and Literature Keystone Exams.  For the Biology and Literature Keystone Exam results, neither may be “below basic” and one result must be “proficient” or better.
  3. Career & Technical Education (CTE) Pathway: Earning a passing grade in all Keystone-aligned courses AND either:  

• Attaining an industry-based competency certification related to the CTE Concentrator’s program of study, OR 
• Demonstrating 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 
• Most of our students completing a program at MBIT will meet this pathway. 

• 4. Alternate Assessment Pathway: Earning a passing grade in all Keystone-aligned courses AND one of the following:  
     • Attain the minimum score on one of the following subject-aligned tests: AP (3 on AP exam aligned to Keystone Course – check with your school counselor to confirm you complete a course that meets the requirements); PSAT (970); SAT (1010); ACT (21); ASVAB (31 - minimum score required to gain admittance to a branch of the military), OR  

• Successfully complete a college-level course College Algebra (or higher), Biology, or Literature (check with your school counselor to confirm you complete a course that meets the requirement) from an accredited university or college OR  
• Be accepted in an accredited 4-year nonprofit institution of higher education   

• 5. Evidence-Based Pathway: Earning a passing grade in all Keystone-aligned courses AND three pieces of evidence  
     • At least one of the following:  
       • Attainment of a minimum score on any SAT subject-test (630)
       • Attainment of a minimum score on any Advanced Placement Exam (3)  
       • 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 an industry-recognized credential 
       • Successful completion of any college-level course from an accredited university or college

• No more than two from the following:  
  • Satisfactory completion of a service-learning project
  • Attainment of a score of proficient or advanced on one Keystone Exam  
  • A letter guaranteeing full-time employment  
  • Satisfactory compliance with the NCAA’s core courses for college-bound student athletes with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.2.  

  

Important Note About Parental Exclusion of their Child from a Keystone Exam: 

While families may choose to exempt their child from participating in a Keystone Exam based on their religious beliefs, this does not exempt students from the graduation requirements enacted with Act 158. Please understand that students are required to demonstrate proficiency in Algebra 1, Literature, and Biology by successfully completing one of the 5 Pathways above.  

 

A parent/guardian may choose to exempt their child from participating in the exam(s) if the tested content is found to be in conflict with their religious beliefs as per PA Code 22, Chapter 4.4. To exclude your child from taking one or more Keystone Exam(s), a parent/guardian must complete the following actions required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).  

1. Email the School Assessment Coordinator.  For our school, please email Mr. Frank Pustay, the CB West School Assessment Coordinator, at fpustay@cbsd.org to request an appointment to view the exam(s) to determine if they conflict with your religious beliefs.  
2. Report to CB West at the appointed time and sign the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Confidentiality Agreement prior to viewing the exams.
3. Write a letter to the Superintendent of Schools for Central Bucks School District, Dr. Steven Yanni, stating the specific exam(s) you want your child exempt from for religious reasons.  Submit the letter to Mr. Frank Pustay, the CB West School Assessment Coordinator, at fpustay@cbsd.org

 

These actions for a religious obligation must be completed no later than May 2nd, 2025. 

 

If you have questions about the Keystone Exams or the 5 Pathways, please contact your child’s school counselor or house principal.  

 

Sincerely,

 

The CB West Administrative Team