THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

INTRODUCED BY DINNIMAN AND PICCOLA, MARCH 9, 2012

REFERRED TO EDUCATION, MARCH 9, 2012  

AN ACT

Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An

act relating to the public school system, including certain

provisions applicable as well to private and parochial

schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the

laws relating thereto," in preliminary provisions, further

providing for definitions; and providing for reimbursement of

certain costs relating to Keystone Exams.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Section 102 of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30,

No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by

adding a definition to read:

Section 102.  Definitions.--When used in this act the

following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

* * *

"Keystone Exam."  An assessment developed or caused to be

developed by the Department of Education pursuant to 22 Pa. Code

§ 4.51(f) (relating to State assessment system).

* * *

Section 2.  The act is amended by adding a section to read:

Section 120.  Reimbursement of Certain Costs Relating to

Keystone Exams.--(a)  Where the Department of Education or State

Board of Education takes any action that has the effect of

eliminating or limiting the number of Keystone Exams to fewer

than ten (10) subject-specific Keystone Exams required to be

developed pursuant to 22 Pa. Code § 4.51 (relating to State

assessment system), the Commonwealth shall, no later than June

30, 2018, reimburse school districts, charter schools and cyber

charter schools for costs incurred related to implementation of

any subject-specific Keystone Exam that has been eliminated or

will not be developed by the Department of Education by June 30,

2018.

(b)  Costs subject to reimbursement under subsection (a)

shall include, but not be limited to, expenses related to:

(1)  Curriculum development and alignment.

(2)  Professional development and training.

(3)  Local assessment development and validation.

(4)  Materials, including textbooks and technology.

(c)  No later than sixty (60) days after the effective date

of this section, the Department of Education shall publish in

the Pennsylvania Bulletin the anticipated development and

implementation schedule for all subject-specific Keystone Exams.

This schedule shall be updated by January 1 of each year.

(d)  No later than thirty (30) days after the Department of

Education or State Board of Education takes action that

eliminates or prevents the development of a subject-specific

Keystone Exam, the Department of Education shall provide written

notice to all school districts, charter schools and cyber

charter schools.

Section 3.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.