Dear Parents/Guardians:
The Keystone Exams will be administered at Keystone Oaks High School and Keystone Oaks Middle School during the spring testing phase in May 2024. The exams will be administered to students currently enrolled in Algebra I (middle school/high school), Biology (9th grade), and Literature (10th grade) courses. In addition, some students who did not previously test with a score of proficient or above on these assessments will be re-taking the tests during this time period. Your principal will furnish specific dates for your school's assessments, including Keystone Oaks Cyber Academy.
As a reminder, proficiency on Keystone Exams is a requirement in the state of Pennsylvania through various options. I strongly encourage you to participate in the assessments, as close to completing the course as possible.
Section 4.4 of Chapter 4 State Guidelines for Academic Standards and Assessment provides for the right of any parents or guardians to excuse their children from the State Assessment if, upon inspection of the testing materials, they find the assessment to be in conflict with their religious beliefs. This is the only basis for a parent or guardian to excuse his or her child from the Statewide assessments. Parents and guardians may review the Assessments by making arrangements with the building principal. A Parent Confidentiality Agreement must be signed after the review concludes.
If after review the test, parents/guardians find the test to be in conflict with their religious beliefs and wish their child to be excused from the Assessment, they are require to provide a written request to the Superintendent that states the objection.
Please find the PSSA Information for Parents or Guardians which may answer many of your questions regarding each of these assessments
on the District's website. The PA Department of Educations' policy prohibiting the use of cell phones or electronic devices during the Assessment is also
available on the District's website.
Please contact your child's principal with any additional questions.
Sincerely,
Shannon Varley, Ed.D.
Assistant to the Superintendent for Student Achievement
Keystone Oaks School District