Keystone Exams Opt Out 2021

Students in the 2019-2020 cohort did not take the 2020 Keystone Exams because there was a federal waiver due to COVID 19.  Students in this cohort do not need to take the Keystones, however schools are required per federal law to administer them as they are one of the pathways to fulfill the graduation requirement.  The Keystone Exams will be administered in April and May 2021.  More information at the bottom of this page.

How To Opt Out of the Keystone Exams

Section 4.4 of Title 22, Chapter 4 provides for the rights of parents to excuse their child from the Keystone exams if they find the assessment to be in conflict with their religious beliefs.  It is important to note that no religious affiliation or discussion is required to be shared with the school district, simply state that you are opting out based on "religious beliefs".

STEP 1:  
Parent request in writing to the building principal to review exam within two weeks of exam.  

SAMPLE LETTER:

 Dear Principal,

Pursuant to Pennsylvania Code Title 22 Chapter 4, section 4.4 (d)(4) I am hereby exercising my right as a parent to have my child, [NAME], excused from Keystone testing because of religious beliefs.

Sincerely,

Two weeks prior to the testing window, exams must be made available for review.  School districts must provide a convenient time for the review.  Parents will need sign the 'Parent Confidentiality Agreement' that simply states they will not share what is on the test with anyone. 

STEP 2:  
Parent reviews test at school.

STEP 3:  
Parent provides written request to be excused from test to the Superintendent. Can be worded same as first letter, stating that that you reviewed the exam.

SAMPLE LETTER:  

Dear Principal,

On [Date] I had the opportunity to review the Keystone exam and pursuant to Pennsylvania Code Title 22 Chapter 4, section 4.4 (d)(4) I am hereby exercising my right as a parent to have my child, [Name] excused from Keystone testing because of religious beliefs.  

Sincerely,

STEP 4:  
Principal or Superintendent reviews the request - this request cannot be denied.

School personnel must provide an alternative learning environment for the student during the assessment and complete the “Non-Assessed Students” grid by selecting “Student had a parental request for exclusion from the assessment.

From the PDE website (bold emphasis added):

"The waiver's coverage of assessment requirements applies to the cohort of 2019-20 test takers who were scheduled to take one or more Keystone Exams in the spring of 2020 (Spring 2019-20 Cohort). Accordingly, the Federal government is not requiring any student enrolled in a Keystone Exam trigger course (Algebra I, Biology, English Literature) during the spring of the 2019-20 school year, regardless of their current grade level or expected graduation date,  to take the associated Keystone Exam(s) once schools reopen and federal assessment requirements resume."

Spring 2019-20 Cohort: Opt-Out

Any student enrolled in a Keystone Exam trigger course during the spring of the 2019-20 school year has the right to opt out of the assessment by parental consent, should an LEA schedule a Keystone Exam administration for the entire cohort. Parents wishing to opt their student out of such an administration are not required to follow the procedures set forth in 22 Pa. Code § 4.4(d)(4) (related to religious opt-outs). 

Impacts on State Graduation Requirements

In accordance with Act 158, statewide graduation requirements take effect with the class of 2022. Act 158 provides five options for meeting graduation requirements: (1) Keystone Proficiency Pathway, (2) Keystone Composite Pathway, (3) Alternate Assessment Pathway, (4) Evidence-Based Pathway, and (5) Career and Technical Education Pathway.

The first two pathways are based solely on Keystone Exam scores. For that reason, all students, including any student enrolled in a Keystone trigger course during the spring of the 2019-20 school year, must have full access to all five options to meet graduation requirements.