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Category: Keystones

The When and How of Keystone Exams in the School District of Philadelphia

The When and How of Keystone Exams in the School District of Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Education Research Consortium (PERC) study explores the “when and how” of Keystone Exams in the School District of Philadelphia, examining the timing of when students first take Keystone-associated courses, the share of students that pass those courses upon their first attempt, and the Keystone exam-taking patterns of those who pass and fail those courses.

A Summary of District-Wide Assessments Administered to SDP Students During the 2022-23 School Year

A Summary of District-Wide Assessments Administered to SDP Students During the 2022-23 School Year

This brief provides a summary of the major assessments administered in the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) and student participation in these assessments during the 2022-23 school year.

Keystone Performance Trends in SDP: 2018-19 to 2022-23

Keystone Performance Trends in SDP: 2018-19 to 2022-23

The Keystone exams are end-of-year standardized state assessments typically administered to Pennsylvania students in grades 8-11 as they near completion of the associated English, Algebra, or Biology course. This brief describes annual Keystone exam performance trends between the 2018-19 (pre-Covid) and 2022-23 school years.

A Summary of District-Wide Assessments Administered to SDP Students During the 2021-22 School Year

A Summary of District-Wide Assessments Administered to SDP Students During the 2021-22 School Year

This brief describes the District-wide tests administered at the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) during the 2021-22 school year and provides details about student participation.

Analysis of the Relationship between 2021-22 Star Assessment and Keystone Assessment Performance

Analysis of the Relationship between 2021-22 Star Assessment and Keystone Assessment Performance

The School District of Philadelphia’s Board of Education’s Goal 4 is focused on improving the reading and math performance of grades 9-11 students on the Keystones. To track progress toward the Goal, the District examines the performance of students on “Leading Indicators,” the within-year assessments of reading and math skills administered multiple times between the annual Keystone exams. This report examines the statistical relationship of Winter and Spring Star performance and Keystone performance in 2021-22.

PSSA and Keystone Performance Trends: 2014-15 to 2021-22

PSSA and Keystone Performance Trends: 2014-15 to 2021-22

The 2021-22 school year was the first year that the PSSAs and Keystones were administered normally since 2018-19 (pre-pandemic). These briefs describe District-wide performance trends on the PSSAs and the Keystone exams from 2014-15 to 2021-22.

Changing the Finish Line: Implications of new graduation requirements in the School District of Philadelphia

Changing the Finish Line: Implications of new graduation requirements in the School District of Philadelphia

Beginning with the class of 2023, Pennsylvania high school students will need to demonstrate career or postsecondary preparedness to meet statewide graduation requirements and receive a diploma. This Philadelphia Education Research Consortium (PERC) publication examines Pennsylvania’s new graduation requirements (Act 158), including the results of an analysis using historical District data to explore potential impacts for school communities. 

On-Track but Vulnerable: 9th Grade Warning Signs of 10th Grade Struggles

On-Track but Vulnerable: 9th Grade Warning Signs of 10th Grade Struggles

A retrospective analysis of the academic trajectories of SDP 9th-graders who were on track to graduate in 2014-15. This brief identifies the 9th-grade characteristics that predict higher and lower graduation rates and also includes information about Keystone performance.