PRINTER'S NO. 124
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
147
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY ORTITAY, STAATS, DEASY, ROWE, ZIMMERMAN, MOUL AND
JOZWIAK, MARCH 8, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 8, 2023
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, providing
for Keystone Exam Alternative Feasibility Study.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 121.2. Keystone Exam Alternative Feasibility
Study.--(a) The secretary shall contract for an independent
study to determine whether the SAT and ACT may be administered
in lieu of the current Statewide, standardized Keystone Exams in
literature, algebra I and biology for high school students
consistent with Federal requirements under 20 U.S.C. § 6311(b)
(2)(H) (relating to state plans).
(b) The secretary shall submit, within one year after the
effective date of this subsection, a report containing the
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results of the study and recommendations to the Governor, the
chairperson and minority chairperson of the Education Committee
of the Senate and the chairperson and minority chairperson of
the Education Committee of the House of Representatives. The
study shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) An evaluation of the degree to which the ACT and SAT
align with Pennsylvania core academic standards and are suitable
for use in lieu of the Statewide Keystone Exams in literature,
algebra I and biology.
(2) Studies, research and analyses required to determine the
extent to which the ACT and SAT test results provide comparable,
valid and reliable data on student achievement as compared to
the Keystone Exams for all students and for each subgroup of
students.
(3) A determination of whether the ACT and SAT provide
testing accommodations that permit students with disabilities
and English learners the opportunity to participate in each
assessment and receive comparable benefits.
(4) Analyses to determine whether the ACT and SAT provide
unbiased, rational and consistent differentiation among schools
within the Commonwealth's accountability system.
(5) An evaluation to determine whether the ACT and SAT meet
the criteria for technical quality that all Statewide
assessments must meet for Federal assessment peer review.
(c) 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:
"ACT." A standardized test for the assessment of college
readiness administered by ACT.
"Keystone Exam." An assessment developed or caused to be
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developed by the Department of Education pursuant to 22 Pa. Code
§ 4.51(f) (relating to State assessment system).
"SAT." A standardized test for the assessment of college
readiness administered by the College Board.
"Secretary." The Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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