Districts were notified over the summer as to an earlier testing date for the Keystone Exams. Although passing grades on the exams aren’t required for graduation until the class of 2017, current 11th graders will take the exams this year in place of the PSSA’s. Students will be tested in Algebra 1, Biology and Literature. Keystone Exams are likely to result in a good number of questions from students and parents, because two of the subjects tested are often taken well before the junior year. There could be 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th graders taking these tests. Some online resources about the Keystone Exams are shown below.

This blog has a good summary of the Keystones testing schedule.http://chalkandtalk.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/keystone-exam-to-replace-pssa-in-2013/

This is an FAQ for parents about Keystone Exams:  http://static.pdesas.org/Content/Documents/Information_for_Parents_or_Guardians_PA_Keystone_Exams_Aug_2012_final.pdf

This article discusses some of the challenges being faced by districts due to the sudden shift in testing dates: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/parkland/mc-state-keystone-exams-20120903,0,205928,full.story

Source: PenSPRA e-Comm Alerts, Sept. 5, 2012.