This guidance document contains explanations, guidance, and definitions to assist you in determining if student evidence meets the criteria for inclusion in a Graduation Pathway. Click the term below to view information related to that term.
ACT - Composite score of 21 or better (Alternative Pathway)
ACT WorkKeys Assessment – An assessment of workplace skills (Graphic Literacy, Workplace Documents, Applied Math) administered by ACT.
- Attainment of Gold Level or better on ACT WorkKeys (Alternative Assessment)
- Attainment of Silver Level or better on ACT WorkKeys (Evidence-Based Assessment)
Acceptance into 4yr Institution of Higher Education (IHE) for College-Level Coursework – Documentation confirming non-conditional acceptance into a 4-year institution into an explicit degree program or general admittance and evidence of the ability to enroll in college-level coursework. (Alternative Pathway)
Acceptance into an other-than-4yr Institution of Higher Education (IHE) for College-Level Coursework – Documentation confirming non-conditional acceptance into an other than 4-year institution into an explicit degree program or major or general admittance and evidence of the ability to enroll in college-level coursework (Evidence-Based Pathway)
Advanced Placement Program (AP)
- Attainment of 3 or better on AP Exam(s) related to each Keystone content area in which less than Proficient (Alternative Pathway)
|
Approved AP Exams Alternative Pathway |
||
|
Algebra I |
Biology |
Literature |
|
AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Chemistry AP Computer Science A AP Computer Science Principles AP Physics 1: Algebra Based AP Physics 2: Algebra Based AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism AP Physics C: Mechanics AP Statistics |
AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Environmental Science AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism AP Physics C: Mechanics |
AP English Language and Composition AP English Literature and Composition |
- Attainment of 3 or better on any AP Exam (Evidence-Based Pathway)
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) AFQT Test – Score of 31 or higher on the AFQT: Paragraph Comprehension, Word Knowledge, Mathematics Knowledge, and Arithmetic Reasoning. (Alternative Assessment)
Concurrent Enrollment Course - A course in which a secondary student is enrolled and, upon successful completion of which both high school and postsecondary credit are earned.
- Successful completion of concurrent course(s) related to each Keystone content area in which less than Proficient (Alternative Pathway)
- Successful completion of any concurrent course or post-secondary course (Evidence-Based Pathway)
Cooperative Education Program - A program of instruction whereby students alternate or coordinate their high school studies with a job in a field related to their academic or career objectives. (Evidence-Based Pathway)
Externship – Certificate verifying successful completion of a short term experience to explore interests; often held during non-school hours (Evidence-Based Pathway)
Full-Time Employment – Letter guaranteeing the offer of engagement in full-time work or in work that may be reasonably considered commensurate with full-time work. (Evidence-Based Pathway)
Industry-based Competency Certification – Certificate validating that a student successfully demonstrated skill competencies in a core set of content and performance standards in a specific set of work-related tasks. (CTE Concentrator Pathway)
Industry Recognized Credential - Portable credential that confirms technical or job-specific skills and abilities within specific sectors in industry, aligned to workforce demands. (Evidence-Based Pathway)
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program
- Score a 4 or higher on an approved International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme Exam for each Keystone Exam content area in which the student achieved less than Proficient. (Alternative Assessment Pathway)
|
Approved IB Exams |
||
|
Algebra |
Biology |
Literature |
|
Chemistry Computer Science Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches Standard Level Mathematics: Analysis and Interpretation SL Mathematics: Analysis and Interpretation HL Physics |
Biology Chemistry Design Technology Physics Science Sports, Exercise, and Health |
Language A: Language and Literature Language A: Literature Literature and Performance |
- Score of 3 or better on any IB Exam (Evidence-Based Pathway)
Internship – Certificate verifying the successful completion of a highly-structured, sustained career preparation work experience in which students are placed at a workplace for a defined period to participate in and observe work within a given industry. (Evidence-Based Pathway)
Locally Established Grade-Based Requirement – For students not demonstrating proficiency in Keystone Exams, locally established grade-based requirements are performance criteria identified by the Local Education Agency (LEA) and reflected in the local graduation policy as consistent with proficiency in the Keystone academic content. (Required to qualify for the waiver or to pursue CTE Concentrator, Alternative, and Evidence-Based Pathways)
Military Enlistment – In lieu of a letter guaranteeing full-time employment, verification of military enlistment (to include enrollment in a Delayed Enlistment Program which permits a delay of up to 365 days). (Evidence-Based Pathway)
NCAA Division II Academic Requirements - Compliance with NCAA’s Division II core courses; minimum GPA of 2.0 or the equivalent on an alternate grading scale. (Evidence- Based Pathway)
Postsecondary Course - Course in which a secondary student is enrolled, and, upon successful completion, postsecondary credit is earned. (Evidence-Based Pathway)
Pre-apprenticeship Program – Successful completion of an apprenticeship program registered with the Pennsylvania Apprenticeship and Training Council. (Alternate Assessment Pathway)
Project Based Assessment (PBA) - An optional set of activities a student completes independently of classroom instruction to demonstrate proficiency in the content area. LEAs may elect to incorporate project-based assessments into their local graduation requirements re: meeting Locally Established Grade Based Requirements.
PSAT/NMSQT – Score of 970 on the PSAT or the NMSQT as administered in grades 10 or 11. (Alternative Assessment)
Readiness for Continued Engagement in Career and Technical Education (CTE) Concentrator Program of Study – Demonstration of readiness as evidenced by one of the following:
- Attainment of an Industry-Based Competency Certification related to the CTE concentrator’s program of study.
- Demonstration of high likelihood of success on approved industry-based competency assessment*
- Demonstration of readiness for continued meaningful engagement in a CTE Concentrator Program of Study* (CTE Concentrator Pathway)
*As demonstrated by performance on benchmark assessments, course grades, and other factors consistent with the CTE concentrator’s goals and career plan and as determined by a chief school administrator in consultation with the CTC director. (CTE Concentrator Pathway)
SAT - Score of 1010 or higher (Alternative Assessment Pathway)
SAT Subject Test – Score of 630 or higher on any subject test (Evidence-Based Pathway)
Service Learning Project – Successful completion of a short-term service learning project that confirms accomplishment of learning goal(s) with community service. (Evidence-Based Pathway)