From Carolyn C. Dumaresq, Acting Secretary, PDE: Since 2011, approximately 8,000 students who already scored proficient on a Keystone Exam were inappropriately retested. Under Chapter 4 (22 Pa. Code § 4.51) (D) Keystone Exams, it states, “A STUDENT WHO HAS ACHIEVED A SCORE OF PROFICIENT OR ADVANCED ON A KEYSTONE SHALL NOT BE PERMITTED TO RETAKE THE EXAM.”  This practice is not only prohibited by the regulation, but it also results in additional costs to the Commonwealth.  To ensure that LEAs are in compliance with Chapter 4 regulations, and to save the commonwealth unnecessary expenses, please take measures to ensure this practice is halted. Communicate this policy to all staff involved in the administration of the Keystone Exams.

In order to maintain equity in the School Performance Profile (SPP) calculations, scores for any initially proficient student who was retested will be capped at the proficient level for accountability purposes beginning with the 2014 SPP.  This action will prevent any LEA from having an unfair advantage when it comes time to calculate the SPP score.