Seventy percent of newly created jobs require post high school education. A recent Pennsylvania Department of Education study shows one-third of Pa. high school grads at state-owned universities and community colleges must take remedial courses, at an annual cost of $26 million.

In addition, a recent Penn State study found only 18 of Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts appropriately measure whether students can read and do math at the 11th grade level in order to award diplomas. And, a survey of state business leaders shows two-thirds interview entry-level job applicants who lack the basic knowledge and skills to successfully enter today’s business world.
 

Today’s Pennsylvania high school graduates must be prepared for college anywhere in the state our country, and must be ready to compete with others from around the country and the globe in the job market. The proposed Keystone Exams offer local districts several means to meet the state graduation requirements.

These include:

• A state developed series of final exams
• Locally developed tests, provided those tests are independently validated for academic rigor
• The 11th grade PSSA exams
• Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams

The Keystone Exams, if they count for final course exams or replace the 11th grade PSSA exams, won’t require any extra testing time. There are 720 instructional days in the four years of high school, so even an extra six tests at two hours per test would add only two days of testing, or barely one-fourth of one percent of the high school instructional time.

While the Keystone Exams are certainly important and would include some level of pressure, this is also true in the college and work worlds. And, these exams are not a “one-shot deal.” Students who fail one or more Keystone Exams would be required to receive remedial help while still in high school, and given other opportunities to pass these exams. The goal is to make sure graduates have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in college and the workplace of the 21st century, not to fail anyone.
 

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has awarded a seven-year contract to Data Recognition Corporation of Minnesota to develop the Keystone Exams, along with a model curriculum, teacher training and tools to monitor students' progress. The cost is $201 million, less than 1/10th of one percent of the money Pennsylvania will spend on public education over that time.

The firm is being paid to develop end-of-course exams and supportive materials in 10 subject areas: algebra I, algebra II, geometry, biology, chemistry, reading composition, literature, U.S. history, civics and government and world history.

Pennsylvania educators will be involved in every stage—developing assessment blueprints and assessment designs; reviewing items for content and bias; developing cut scores; reviewing model curriculum units and sample lesson plans.
 

No. Currently, 18 states have such testing in place, and another eight states are considering them. Together, these 26 states represent more than 75% of the nation’s students.