The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed by President Obama on December 10, 2015. This measure reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965.
The Keystone exams meet the federal accountability criteria of ESSA for the high school level. Students must take the Keystone Exams for purposes of federal accountability. Failure to do so will affect a Local Education Agency (LEA) and school's participation rate.
The Keystone exams were created to replace the Grade 11 PSSA and serve as one component of Pennsylvania's statewide high school graduation requirement. Keystone Exams will help school districts guide students toward meeting state standards. The exams are end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in the subject areas of Algebra I, Literature, and Biology.
Reporting Violations
Testing irregularities should be reported to the PDE by telephoning 844-418-1651 or emailing ra-ed-pssa-keystone@pa.gov. Please provide as many details as possible when reporting irregularities including how to contact the person making the report.
The Spring 2024 Keystone Exams Training will only be via PowerPoint and not a live webinar.
To assist DACs in the training of SACs, we developed the attached PowerPoint. Using this document is not required by PDE but rather is offered as a way to save time for DACs as preparation for state testing begins. Since the document contains the PDE logo, please adhere to the following guidelines as you use this document.
District Assessment Coordinators Training of School Assessment Coordinators (PowerPoint)
- You may edit the slides on pages 1, 9 and 10. These contain information specific to your LEA.
- No other slides should be edited.
To assist SACs in the training of all involved with test administration, we developed the attached PowerPoint. Using this document is not required by PDE but rather is offered as a way to save time for SACs as preparation for state testing begins. Since the document contains the PDE logo, please adhere to the following guidelines as you use this document.
School Assessment Coordinators Training of All Individuals Involved with Test Administration (PowerPoint)
- You may edit the slides on pages 1, 12, 13, 24, 25, and 27. These contain information specific to your LEA.
- No other slides should be edited.
- Additionally, if you are only administering the PSSA assessments, you may delete the slides for Keystone Exams and vice-versa.
Resource Materials
Due to the cancellation of standardized testing in 2019–2020, the 2021 Item and Scoring Samplers are revised and enhanced versions of the previously released 2017 Item and Scoring Samplers.
- 2023 Item and Scoring Sampler - Algebra I (PDF)
- 2022 Item and Scoring Sampler - Algebra I (PDF)
- 2021 Item and Scoring Sampler - Algebra I (PDF)
- 2019 Item and Scoring Sampler - Algebra I (PDF)
- 2018 Item and Scoring Sampler - Algebra I (PDF)
- 2015 Item and Scoring Sampler - Algebra I (PDF)
- 2014 Item and Scoring Sampler - Algebra I (PDF)
- 2011 Item and Scoring Sampler - Algebra I (PDF)
- 2023 Item and Scoring Sampler - Biology (PDF)
- 2022 Item and Scoring Sampler - Biology (PDF)
- 2021 Item and Scoring Sampler - Biology (PDF)
- 2019 Item and Scoring Sampler - Biology (PDF)
- 2018 Item and Scoring Sampler - Biology (PDF)
- 2015 Item and Scoring Sampler - Biology (PDF)
- 2014 Item and Scoring Sampler - Biology (PDF)
- 2011 Item and Scoring Sampler - Biology (PDF)
- 2023 Item and Scoring Sampler - Literature (PDF)
- 2022 Item and Scoring Sampler - Literature (PDF)
- 2021 Item and Scoring Sampler - Literature (PDF)
- 2019 Item and Scoring Sampler - Literature (PDF)
- 2018 Item and Scoring Sampler - Literature (PDF)
- 2015 Item and Scoring Sampler - Literature (PDF)
- 2014 Item and Scoring Sampler - Literature (PDF)
- 2011 Item and Scoring Sampler - Literature (PDF)
An American with Disabilities (ADA) compliant document can be accessed by software programs for disabled users; therefore the handwritten student responses have been transcribed into typed responses for this purpose. The content is the same in both documents.
ADA Compliant Item and Scoring Samples
- 2016 Keystone Item and Scoring Sampler Algebra I (PDF)
- 2016 Keystone Item and Scoring Sampler Biology (PDF)
- 2016 Keystone Item and Scoring Sampler Literature (PDF)
Non ADA Compliant Item and Scoring Samples
- General Scoring Guideline - Algebra I (PDF)
- General Scoring Guideline - Algebra 1 Spanish (PDF)
- General Scoring Guideline - Literature (PDF)
- General Scoring Guideline - Biology (PDF)
- General Scoring Guideline - Biology Spanish (PDF)
- English Composition Argumentative Combined (PDF)
- English Composition Informative-Explanatory Combined (PDF)
- English Composition Conventions (PDF)
The Pennsylvania Department of Education provides districts and schools with item and scoring samplers for the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) and the Keystone Exams. These item and scoring samplers are tools to assist in delivering focused instructional programs aligned with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards (PAS).
Braille
The sampler items are assembled into a Braille booklet to assist students who will use the Unified English Braille accommodation. To receive a copy of the Braille item sampler, contact the AIM center at jbreneman@pattan.net. (A request could take up to three weeks to process.)
Video Sign Language
To assist students using the Video Sign Language accommodation, a Video Sign Language format of the item samplers has been produced for each grade and/or subject.
The Video Sign Language dashboard should be used in conjunction with the item and scoring samplers.
Testing
- PA State Test Administration Training Site (PDF)
- PDE Guidance Document for Online Testing (PDF)
- eDirect
- Pennsylvania Online Calculator Manual (PDF)
- Pennsylvania Calculator Policy (PDF)
Guidance for Medical Exemptions from State Assessments
Generally, if a student can receive instruction, then they are also able to participate in state assessments; however, the health and well-being of students should take priority in determining whether they can participate.
Students may receive a medical exemption if they cannot participate in a state assessment during the testing window, including make-up dates, due to a significant medical event. Examples include, but are not limited to, a student who is 1) receiving short-term medical treatment due to a medical emergency; or 2) seriously ill or has a medical condition that prevents them from receiving instruction during the testing window.
- A medical emergency is defined as a circumstance in which a student cannot take or finish taking the assessment during the entire testing window, including make-up dates, because of a recent significant medical event just prior to or during the annual testing window. Examples of medical emergencies include:
- Serious injury
- Concussion
- Confinement to home or hospital with an acute condition, not a long-term home instruction or hospital instruction situation.
- Inability to interact with others without serious risk of infection or contamination.
- Pregnancy with significant health complications or delivery just prior to or during the testing window.
- Mental health crisis that prevents a student from receiving instruction.
A note from a physician dated at least two weeks within the start of the testing window must be on file at the school. These records must be retained for three years.
- A serious illness or medical condition is defined as one in which the student is receiving active treatment for a life-threatening illness or medical condition and/or the associated recuperation. A note from a physician must be on file at the school and must be retained for three years.
To account for a student with a medical exemption, as defined above, the “Medical Emergency” bubble on testing documents should be used.
Note: An assessment of a student’s medical condition must be made annually at the testing window for each content area.
2024-2025 School Year
Time of Year | Date |
---|---|
Winter Wave 1 | December 4 - 18, 2024 |
Winter Wave 2 | January 6 - 17, 2025 |
Spring | May 12 - 23, 2025 |
Summer | July 28 - August 1, 2025 |
Firefly
November 18, 2024 to April 18, 2025
2025-2026 School Year
Time of Year | Date |
---|---|
Winter Wave 1 | December 3 - 17, 2025 |
Winter Wave 2 | January 5 - 16, 2026 |
Spring | May 11 - 22, 2026 |
Summer | July 27 - 31, 2026 |
Firefly
Dates to be determined for 2025-2026 school year.
2026-2027 School Year
Time of Year | Date |
---|---|
Winter Wave 1 | December 7 - 18, 2026 |
Winter Wave 2 | January 4 - 15, 2027 |
Spring | May 17 - 28, 2027 |
Summer | July 26 - 30, 2027 |
Firefly
Dates to be determined for 2026-2027 school year.
Webinars
- 2025 Guidelines for Selection and Use of Accommodations on State Assessments (PDF)
- 2025 Guidelines for Selection and Use of Accommodations on State Assessments Webinar (YouTube)
Handbooks
- 2025 Accommodations Guidelines (PDF)
- Supplemental Guidelines for ASL in the VSL (PDF)
- 2025 Accommodations Guidelines for ELs (PDF)
- 2025 Read Aloud and Scribing Guidelines (PDF)
Forms
- PSSA and Keystone Handbook for Secure Test Administration (PDF)
- Winter 2024-2025 Handbook for Assessment Coordinators (PDF)
- Pennsylvania Read-Aloud and Scribing Guidelines for Operational Assessments (PDF)
Formula Sheets and Scoring Guidelines
- 2023-2024 Algebra I Formula Sheet Keystone (PDF)
- 2023-2024 Algebra I Formula Sheet Keystone Spanish (PDF)
Parent Information
- 2024 and 2024-2025 Electronic Device Letter (PDF)
- 2024 and 2024-2025 Electronic Device Letter (Spanish) (PDF)
- 2024 and 2024-2025 Keystone Exam FAQ for Parents (PDF)
- 2024 and 2024-2025 Keystone Exam FAQ for Parents (Spanish) (PDF)
Directions for Administration Manuals
- Winter 2024-2025 Online Directions for Administration Manual: Algebra I, Biology and Literature (PDF)
- Winter 2024-2025 Paper Directions for Administration Manual: Algebra I, Biology and Literature (PDF)
- Summer 2024 Spanish Directions for Administration Manual: Algebra I, Biology and Literature (PDF)
- Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content - Algebra I (PDF)
- Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content - Algebra I with Sample Items (PDF)
- Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content - Algebra II (PDF)
- Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content - Algebra II with Sample Items (PDF)
- Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content - Literature (PDF)
- Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content - Literature with Sample Items PDF)
- Keystone AAEC Compact Literature Nonfiction (PDF)
- Keystone AAEC Compact Literature Fiction (PDF)
- Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content - Geometry (PDF)
- Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content - Geometry with Sample Items (PDF)
- Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content - Biology (PDF)
- Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content - Biology with Sample Items (PDF)
- Assessment Anchors/Eligible Content - English Composition (PDF)
- English - Keystone Report Interpretation Guide (PDF)
- Chinese - Keystone Report Interpretation Guide (PDF)
- Arabic - Keystone Report Interpretation Guide (PDF)
- Nepali - Keystone Report Interpretation Guide (PDF)
- French - Keystone Report Interpretation Guide (PDF)
- Russian - Keystone Report Interpretation Guide (PDF)
- Spanish - Keystone Report Interpretation Guide (PDF)
- Vietnamese - Keystone Report Interpretation Guide (PDF)
Keystone Exam Scale
Content Area | Below Basic | Basic | Proficient | Advanced |
---|---|---|---|---|
Algebra I | 1200-1438 | 1439-1499 | 1500-1545 | 1546-1800 |
Biology | 1200-1459 | 1460-1499 | 1500-1548 | 1549-1800 |
Literature | 1200-1443 | 1444-1499 | 1500-1583 | 1584-1800 |