PA Graduation Requirements Act 158
For Graduating class of 2022 (current freshman)
What is it?
Signed into law on October 24th 2018, Act 158 provides alternative pathways to graduation for Pennsylvania's high school students. The requirement takes effect for the class of 2022, and while there is no graduation requirement for the classes of 2019, 2020 and 2021, local graduation policies must be reviewed since they are not preempted by the moratorium.
Option 1 - Keystone Exams
- Scoring proficient or advanced on all three Keystone Exams (Algebra 1, Biology, Literature)
OR
- Meeting or exceeding a composite score on across all three Keystone Exams
AND
- Performance on the three Keystones MUST include at least 1 Proficient and 2 Basic.
The composite value will be released no later than Summer 2019.
Option 2 - Local Grade Req's and Alternative Assessments/Pre-Apprenticeship
- Earn a passing grade based on local requirements in all three Keystone subject areas
AND One of the following:
- Attainment of established score (by PDE) on SAT, PSAT, or ACT
OR
- Attainment of established score (by PDE) on any AP Course Exam associated with a Keystone Course where at least proficiency was not obtained (possibly AP Bio, AP Calc, AP Lit&Comp)
OR
- Attainment of established score (by PDE) on IB Diploma Program Exam associated with a Keystone Course where at least proficiency was not obtained (possibly Sciences, Mathematics, Studies in Language and Literature and Language Acquisition)
OR
- ASVAB (possibly a minimum of 31)
OR
- ACT WorkKeys (Gold Level)
OR
- Successful completion of dual enrollment course associated with a Keystone Course where at least proficiency was not obtained
OR
- Successful completion of a pre-apprenticeship program
OR
- Acceptance to a 4-year, Accredited, Non-profit institution of higher education (with proof)
Option 3 - Act 6
- Earn a passing grade based on local requirements in all three Keystone subject areas
AND
- Passing grade on NOCTI/NIMS
Option 4 - Local Grade Req's and 3 Pieces of Evidence
- Earn a passing grade based on local requirements in all three Keystone subjects
AND 3 Pieces of evidence
One of which must come from the following list:
- Attainment of established score on ASVAB (below Gold Score cut level)
- Attainment of established score on SAT Subject test
- Attainment of established score on any AP Program Exam
- Attainment of established score on any IB Diploma Program Exam
- Attainment of industry-recognized credential
- Successful completion of any dual-enrollment course
- Acceptance to a 4-year, Non-profit institution of higher education (other than accredited)
Two of which must come from the following list:
- Keystone Exam - proficient or advanced
- Completion of a Service Learning Project (Community Service)
- A letter guaranteeing full-time employment
- Successful completion of internship, externship or co-op program
- Successful compliance of NCAA core courses (minimum GPA 2.0)