PRINTER'S NO. 1757
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
1177
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY DINNIMAN, EICHELBERGER, TARTAGLIONE, MENSCH,
KILLION, FOLMER, STEFANO, WHITE, HUTCHINSON AND RAFFERTY,
MAY 21, 2018
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, MAY 21, 2018
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 Keystone Exams; and abrogating regulations.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 121 heading, (a), (b)(1) and (c) of the
act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public
School Code of 1949, amended or added June 21, 2017 (P.L.200,
No.6) and November 6, 2017 (P.L.1142, No.55), are amended and
the section is amended by adding subsections to read:
Section 121. Keystone Exams and Graduation Requirements.--
(a) The Department of Education shall develop and implement
Keystone Exams in algebra I, literature and biology. The State
Board of Education shall promulgate and revise regulations,
subject to the act of June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181), known as
the "Regulatory Review Act," necessary to implement this
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section.
(b) The following shall apply:
(1) Notwithstanding section 2604-B(b)(2)(v), 22 Pa. Code §
4.24 (relating to high school graduation requirements), 4.51
(relating to State assessment system) or 4.51c (relating to
project-based assessment) or any statute [or], regulation or
locally adopted or established ordinance, resolution or policy
related to a requirement of a public school district, charter
school or cyber charter school, whether distinct or building
level to the contrary, [the use of] beginning with the 2018-2019
school year, the Keystone Exams shall no longer be used as a
graduation requirement or as a benchmark for the need for
participation in a project-based assessment [shall be delayed
until the 2019-2020 school year].
* * *
(b.1) Each local school district shall have requirements for
high school graduation which include locally established course
completion and grade-based requirements for academic content
areas and a demonstration of proficiency in State academic
standards. Each local school district shall include in the
school district graduation requirements the alternative to
demonstrate graduation readiness under subsection (c).
(c) Notwithstanding section 2604-B(b)(2)(v), 22 Pa. Code §
4.24 (relating to high school graduation requirements) or 4.51
(relating to State assessment system) or any statute or
regulation to the contrary, in any school year in which a
demonstration of proficiency [on a Keystone Exam] in State
academic standards is required for high school graduation, a CTE
Concentrator shall be deemed proficient provided that the CTE
Concentrator shall meet all of the following requirements:
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(1) completes locally established grade-based requirements
for academic content areas associated with each Keystone Exam on
which the CTE Concentrator did not achieve proficiency. For the
purposes of this paragraph, completion of grade-based
requirements in any science and technology and environment and
ecology course shall satisfy the requirements for the academic
content area associated with the Keystone Exam in biology; and
(2) completes one of the following:
(i) attains an industry-based competency certification
related to the CTE Concentrator's program of study; or
(ii) demonstrates a high likelihood of success on an
approved industry-based competency assessment or readiness for
continued meaningful engagement in the CTE Concentrator's
program of study as demonstrated by performance on benchmark
assessments, course grades and other factors consistent with the
CTE Concentrator's goals and career plan.
(c.1) Notwithstanding section 2604-B(b)(2)(v), 22 Pa. Code §
4.24 (relating to high school graduation requirements) or 4.51
(relating to State assessment system) or any statute or
regulation to the contrary, beginning with the 2018-2019 school
year, project-based assessments, as provided for in 22 Pa. Code
§ 4.51c (relating to project-based assessment), and supplemental
instruction may not be required of any student. Supplemental
instruction may be offered within the guidance of the Department
of Education.
(c.2) Children with disabilities who satisfactorily complete
a special education program developed by an individualized
education program team under the Individuals With Disabilities
Education Act (Public Law 91-230, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.) and
22 Pa. Code Ch. 14 (relating to special education services and
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programs) shall be granted and issued a regular high school
diploma by the school entity, if applicable. This subsection
shall apply if the special education program of a child with a
disability does not otherwise meet the requirements of this
section.
(c.3) The Secretary of Education shall propose regulations
for promulgation by the State Board of Education to implement
the provisions of this section. A student who has achieved a
score of proficient or advanced on a Keystone Exam may not be
permitted to retake the exam.
* * *
Section 2. The provisions of 22 Pa. Code §§ 4.24, 4.51 and
4.51c are abrogated insofar as they are inconsistent with this
act.
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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