PA Graduation Requirements (Act 158)

• Successful completion of courses aligned to each of the three (3) Keystone Exams: Algebra I, Biology or Honors Biology, and English 10 or Honors English 10.
• Earning an approved Industry Based Credential in his/her program at FRCTC with the high likelihood of success on an approved industry-based competency assessment (achievement on the pre-NOCTI exam) or readiness for continued meaningful engagement in the aligned CTE area.

Successful completion of courses aligned to each of the three (3) Keystone Exams: Algebra I, Biology or Honors Biology, and English 10 or Honors English 10

Plus one (1) of the following:

• Meeting the published college readiness benchmark on the PSATs or SATs or ACTs or ASVABs;
• Earning a two (2) or higher on the Advanced Placement Exam for a corresponding content area; Math - AP Calculus AB, AP Statistics, AP Computer Science Principles; Science - AP Biology; Literature - AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature
• Passing a concurrent/dual enrollment course through the Early College in High School Academy (CIHS), CCBC or FRE Health Science Academy
• Successful completion of a pre-apprenticeship program.
• Acceptance in an accredited 4-year nonprofit institution of higher education and evidence of the ability to enroll in college-level coursework.

Any student with a disability who satisfactorily completes a special education program developed by an individualized education program team under the Individuals with Disabilities General Information 8 Education Act and 22 Pa. Code Ch. 14 (relating to special education services and programs) that does not otherwise meet the requirements of Act 158 or Act 6 shall be granted and issued a regular high school diploma by the student’s LEA. Note: Students who graduate in this manner are not considered to have been granted waivers under Act 158. This is an IEP Team decision.

All English Learners (ELs) are required to participate in the Mathematics PSSA or Algebra I Keystone Exam and the Science PSSA or Biology Keystone Exam with accommodations as appropriate regardless of enrollment date. Note: All ELs are required to take the WIDA ACCESS for ELs English Proficiency Test.

However, an EL student whose enrollment in any US public school is fewer than 12 cumulative (nonconsecutive) months by the end of the year in which the PSSA ELA/Keystone Literature testing window occurs has an option to take the associated exam. Enrollment in a school in any US territory, such as Puerto Rico, is not to be considered enrollment in a US public school.

An EL may be exempted only once from participation in the PSSA ELA or Keystone Literature Exam. For example, if an EL student was exempt from participation during a previous test administration, the student must participate during the current testing window regardless of length of enrollment.

An EL student who does not participate in the Keystone Literature Exam as an 11th or 12th grade student must satisfy the requirements of Act 158 and Act 6 through a pathway other than the Keystone Proficiency or the Keystone Composite Pathways. The CTE Concentrator, Alternative Assessment, and Evidence-Based Pathways require EL students to complete locally established grade-based requirements for academic content associated with each Keystone Exam in which the student did not demonstrate proficiency.