FAQ July 2022
1. If a student earned a non-numeric Proficient during the 2019-2020 SY per Act 136 of 2020 and later participated in the Keystone Exam for that content area, may the student use the associated numeric score to calculate the two-score Keystone Composite?
No. A student who earned a non-numeric Proficient per Act 136 is eligible to graduate via the Composite Pathway using two scores; however, the two-score composite must be calculated using the highest numeric scores in the other two Keystone Exams (not associated with the academic content for which the student earned a non-numeric Proficient).
By way of example, a student:
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earned a non-numeric Proficient in Algebra I, per Act 136
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opted to participate in the Algebra I Keystone Exam, earning a numeric score of 1505 (Proficient)
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earned a Biology Keystone Exam score of 1467 (Basic)
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earned a Literature Keystone Exam score of 1483 (Basic)
Although the sum of the Biology and Literature scores exceeds the requisite composite score of 2939, neither score is Proficient. Under the two-score composite, no score may be Below Basic and at least one score must be Proficient or better. Neither the Algebra I non-numeric Proficient nor the numeric score of 1505 (Proficient) may be used to satisfy this requirement.
However, it is worth noting that because the student opted to participate in the Keystone Exam and has three numeric scores that satisfy the requirements of the threescore Composite Pathway, this student meets statewide graduation requirement.
2. May a student who earned two non-numeric Proficients per Act 136 qualify for the two-score Composite Pathway?
No. Even if the student opted to participate in one or both Keystone Exams associated with Keystone academic content for which the student was awarded a non-numeric Proficient, the two-score composite must be calculated using numeric scores earned in Keystone content areas other than those for which the student was awarded a nonnumeric Proficient.
3. Must a student who utilizes the two-score Keystone Composite meet locally established grade-based requirements for all three Keystone content areas?
A student utilizing the 2-score composite must complete locally established, gradebased requirements only for academic content associated with each Keystone Exam in which the student does not have a numeric or non-numeric score of Proficient/Advanced.
The student must have earned a non-numeric Proficient for one Keystone content area in order to be eligible to utilize the 2-score composite.
The highest Keystone Exam scores in each of the two other Keystone content areas is used to calculate the 2-score composite. Neither score may be Below Basic and at least one score must be Proficient or Advanced. If one of the two scores used to calculate the 2-score composite is Basic, the student must meet locally established grade-based requirements for that Keystone content area.
4. How does the pandemic as an extenuating circumstance affect the five percent waiver?
The total waivers granted to students in Grade 12 or for extenuating circumstances may not exceed 5% of the graduating class. If the chief school administrator grants waivers in excess of 5% for reasons other than legislated or State Board of Education approved extenuating circumstances, the school entity is subject to an improvement plan or subject to an audit when exceeded for two consecutive years.