PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1534
PRINTER'S NO. 2744
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1315
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY GLEIM, STRUZZI, RYAN, ISAACSON, MALONEY, MURT,
ZIMMERMAN, PYLE, JAMES, FEE, MACKENZIE, BERNSTINE, KAUFFMAN,
MENTZER, NEILSON, ECKER, PICKETT, MILLARD, LAWRENCE, SCHLEGEL
CULVER, KEEFER, HERSHEY, OBERLANDER, THOMAS AND DUSH,
APRIL 25, 2019
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, OCTOBER 21, 2019
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 graduation requirements.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 121(c)(2), (c.1)(3)(i)(D) 121(C.1)(3)(I)
(D) and (d) of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, amended or added October 24,
2018 (P.L.1146, No.158), are amended and the section is amended
by adding a subsection to read:
Section 121. Keystone Exams and Graduation Requirements.--*
* *
(c) Notwithstanding section 2604-B(b)(2)(v), 22 Pa. Code ยง
4.24 or 4.51 or any statute or regulation to the contrary, in
any school year in which a demonstration of proficiency on a
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Keystone Exam 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:
* * *
(2) completes one of the following:
(i) attains an [industry-based competency certification]
industry-recognized credential related to the CTE Concentrator's
program of study; or
(ii) demonstrates a high likelihood of success on an
approved [industry-based competency assessment] industry-
recognized credential 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 and determined for the CTE Concentrator by
a chief school administrator in consultation with an area
vocational-technical school director or principal of a
comprehensive high school. The determination shall be made no
later than the end of eleventh grade, or, for a student enrolled
in a one-year program, the end of the first semester of twelfth
grade.
(c.1) Notwithstanding section 2604-B(b)(2)(v), 22 Pa. Code ยง
4.24, 4.51 or 4.51c or any statute or regulation to the
contrary, in any school year in which a demonstration of
proficiency on a Keystone Exam is required for high school
graduation, a student shall be deemed proficient if the student
demonstrates one of the following:
* * *
(3) Successful completion of locally established, grade-
based requirements for academic content areas associated with
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each Keystone Exam on which the student did not achieve at least
a proficient score and demonstration of three pieces of evidence
that reflect readiness for meaningful postsecondary engagement
consistent with the student's goals and career plan, which shall
include:
(i) One of the following:
* * *
(D) Attainment of an industry-recognized credential[, as
identified in the industry credential resource book or in the
industry-based learning guidelines compiled by the department].
* * *
(c.9a) No later than the beginning of the 2020-2021 school
year, an industry-recognized credential attained by a student
shall be included on the student's transcript.
* * *
(d) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Accredited four-year nonprofit institution of higher
education." Any of the following:
(1) A university within the State System of Higher Education
under Article XX-A.
(2) A State-related institution as defined in section 1502-
A.
(3) Any accredited nonprofit public, private or independent
college or university that confers four-year baccalaureate
degrees.
"Accredited nonprofit institution of higher education." Any
of the following:
(1) A community college operating under Article XIX-A.
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(2) An accredited four-year nonprofit institution of higher
education.
(3) Any accredited nonprofit public, private or independent
college or university.
(4) The Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
"ACT." A standardized test for the assessment of college
readiness administered by ACT.
"ACT WorkKeys assessment." An assessment of workplace skills
administered by ACT.
"Advanced Placement Program." A program authorized by the
college board that allows a student to study college-level
subjects while enrolled in high school and to receive advanced
placement and college credit for earning a qualified score on
the course-related Advanced Placement exam.
"Approved alternative assessment." A SAT, PSAT, ACT or Armed
Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test.
"Approved industry-based competency assessment." A NOCTI
exam, NIMS assessment or other industry-based competency
assessment identified by the Secretary of Education and approved
by the State Board of Education or identified by an act of the
General Assembly.
"Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test." The
aptitude test developed and maintained by the United States
Department of Defense.
"Chief school administrator." The superintendent of a school
district, executive director of an intermediate unit,
administrative director of an area vocational-technical school
or chief executive officer of a charter school, cyber charter
school, regional charter school or multiple charter school
organization.
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"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.
"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.
"CTE Concentrator." A student under Article XVIII who, by
the end of a reporting year, will be reported as successfully
completing at least fifty percent (50%) of the minimum technical
instructional hours required under 22 Pa. Code Ch. 339 (relating
to vocational education).
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Established score." A score recommended by the secretary
and approved by the State Board of Education.
"GPA." Grade point average.
"Industry-recognized credential." A credential identified in
the industry credential resource book or in the industry-based
learning guidelines compiled by the department.
"International Baccalaureate Diploma Program." An
academically challenging two-year precollege diploma program
comprised of three core requirements and six academic subject
areas with final examinations that prepare students sixteen (16)
to nineteen (19) years of age for higher education and life in a
global society.
"NIMS assessment." An assessment based on the National
Institute for Metalworking Skills standards.
"NOCTI exam." A National Occupational Competency Testing
Institute exam.
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"Postsecondary course." A course in which a secondary
student is enrolled and, upon successful completion,
postsecondary credit is earned.
"Preapprenticeship program." An apprenticeship program
registered with the Pennsylvania Apprenticeship and Training
Council.
"SAT." A standardized test for the assessment of college
readiness administered by the College Board.
"SAT Subject Test." A standardized test for the assessment
of a specific content area administered by the College Board.
"School entity." A school district, intermediate unit, area
vocational-technical school, charter school, cyber charter
school, regional charter school or multiple charter school
organization.
"Secretary." The Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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