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Pennsylvania Graduation Requirements -- Act 158

Students who will graduate from high school in 2023 and beyond now have additional options to meet the statewide graduation requirement.

Act 158 of 2018 (Act 158), which was signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf on October 24, 2018, expands upon the options that students have for meeting Pennsylvania’s graduation requirements.  While Act 158 maintains that students will still be required to take the Keystone Exams for federal accountability purposes, students may not be required to achieve proficiency on the Keystone Exams in order to graduate, as long as they meet the requirements set forth by one of the following defined options. 

These options, which are outlined below, apply to all students who will graduate in 2023 and beyond.

Graduation Requirements:

  1. Take all three Keystone courses (Algebra I, Biology, Literature).
  2. Pass all three Keystone courses.
  3. Take each Keystone Exam at least once. 
  4. Complete at least one of the five options outlined below.

Option 1: Keystone Proficiency Pathway

Student must earn a proficient or advanced score on all three Keystone Exams: Algebra I, Literature, and Biology.

Option 2: Keystone Composite Pathway

Student must earn a composite score of 4452 on the Algebra I, Literature, and Biology Keystone Exams. Student must also earn a proficient or advanced score on at least one of the three exams. The student may not earn a Below Basic score on either of the other two exams.

Option 3: Alternate Assessment Pathway

Student must earn a passing grade in the course(s) associated with each Keystone Exam on which the student did not earn at a proficient or advanced score. These courses include: Algebra I, 10th grade English Language Arts, and biology. Student must also achieve one of the following:

  • Attainment of an established score on an approved alternate assessment (SAT, PSAT, ACT, ASVAB);
    • SAT: 1010
    • PSAT: 970
    • ACT: 21
    • ASVAB: the minimum score required for admittance to the armed services branch during the year the student graduates
  • Gold Level on the ACT WorkKeys Assessment;
  • Attainment of at least a ‘3’ score on an Advanced Placement Program exam in an academic content area associated with each Keystone Exam on which the student did not achieve a proficient or advanced score;
  • Successful completion of a concurrent enrollment course (ex. college-in-high school course) in an academic content area associated with each Keystone Exam in which the student did not achieve at least a proficient score;
  • Successful completion of a pre-apprenticeship program; or
  • Acceptance in an accredited 4-year nonprofit institution of higher education and evidence of the ability to enroll in college-level coursework.

Option 4: Evidence Based Pathway

Student must earn a passing grade in the course(s) associated with each Keystone Exam that a proficient or advanced score was not earned. These courses include: Algebra I, 10th grade English Language Arts, and biology. Student must also demonstrate three pieces of evidence consistent with the student’s goals and career plans, including:

  • One of the following:
    • Attainment of an established score on the ACT WorkKeys assessment (Silver Level), a SAT subject test (score of 630), an Advanced Placement Program Exam (score of 3);
    • Acceptance to an accredited nonprofit institution of higher education other than a 4-year institution and evidence of the ability to enroll in college-level coursework;
    • Attainment of an industry-recognized credential; or
    • Successful completion of a concurrent enrollment or postsecondary course; and
  • Two additional pieces of evidence, including one or more of the options listed above, or: satisfactory completion of a service learning project; attainment of a score of proficient or advanced on a Keystone Exam; a letter guaranteeing full-time employment; a certificate of successful completion of an internship or cooperative education program; or satisfactory compliance with the NCAA's core courses for college-bound student athletes with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.  

Option 5: CTE Pathway

Students, who are Career and Technical Education (CTE) Concentrators, must earn a passing grade in the course(s) associated with each Keystone Exam on which a proficient or advanced score was not earned. These courses include: Algebra I, 10th grade English Language Arts, and biology. Student must also attain an industry-based competency certification related to the CTE Concentrator's program of study or demonstration of a high likelihood of success on an approved industry-based competency assessment or readiness for continued meaningful engagement in the CTE Concentrator's program of study. For further explanation of the CTE Pathway, please see PDE’s Act 6 guidance.