Guidance Documents

SB 1216 Review: As per 11.20.20 – All Keystone Test dates and information are subject to change due to the COVID19 pandemic.  Information pertaining to specific test dates and information will be relayed to the parent/guardian and student when applicable.  At this time, State Legislation is being reviewed to determine the graduation pathways in effect for the 2022 and 2023 class.  Testing information and dates, and administration of the Keystone exam is subject to change and/or be waived due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Information if your student is scheduled to test or waived will continue to be delivered as per PDE and the Ambridge Area School District.  At this time, the Ambridge School District is working with PDE to determine the testing options.  Information will be continued to be delivered for all students and updated as we continue.  Information for the graduation class is subject to change as per PDE and COVID-19 as of 11.20.20.  Information will be forthcoming from Guidance as testing guidelines, dates and requirements change.  All letters will be delivered. Any specific questions can be addressed to High School Guidance Counselors during this time. Thank you.

All across Pennsylvania students are required to participate in the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment Keystone Exams.  Keystone Exams are designed to measure student performance on the Pennsylvania Core Standards related to the categories of writing, listening, speaking, science, and mathematics.

Starting with the graduating class of 2023 and beyond, students will be required to demonstrate proficiency or meet one of the graduation academic pathways in association with the Keystone End-of-Unit Exams prior to graduation as per The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and State Law Act 158 and Act 136.

The new state guidelines and graduation requirements from The Pennsylvania Department of Education Act 158 ​and Law Act 136 State Law are presented below. Specifically, according to the State Law ACT 158 and Act 136, ANY STUDENT WHO Earned a passing grade and successfully  COMPLETED A  COURSE IN AN ACADEMIC CONTENT AREA ASSOCIATED WITH A KEYSTONE  EXAM at the end of the 2019-2020 School Year SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO TAKE THE KEYSTONE EXAM RELATED TO  THAT COURSE AND SHALL BE DEEMED PROFICIENT for graduation purposes only.  Any student who did not pass the End-of-Course Assessment Course in an academic content area associated with a keystone exam in the 2019-2020 school year and has not demonstrated proficiency on the Keystone Assessment is required to meet one of the below graduation pathways for a student in the graduating class of 2023 and beyond.  First, students can achieve graduation pathways completion starting with achieving proficiency through a students assessment score and successfully passing the Academic Content Area Associated with the Keystone Exam:

Pass the Required Academic Content Area Associated with the Keystone Exam: Biology, Algebra I, English Course Grade Level 10

1. Keystone Proficiency Pathway: Scoring proficient or advanced on each Keystone Exam – Algebra I, Literature, and Biology.
2. Keystone Composite Pathway: Earning a composite score of 4452 on the Algebra I, Literature, and Biology Keystone Exams (while achieving at least a proficient score on at least one of the three exams and no less than a basic score on the remaining two).

According to ACT 158, graduates of the class of 2023 who do not meet proficiency or advance standings on the End-of-Unit Keystone exams will be required to provide evidence as per one of the testing pathways prior to graduation:

1. Alternate Assessment Pathway: Completion of locally established grade-based requirements for academic content areas associated with each Keystone Exam on which the student did not achieve proficiency and an established score on an approved alternate assessment and additional evidence as defined by The Pennsylvania Department of Education.
2. Evidence Based Pathway: Completion of locally established grade-based requirements for academic content areas associated with each Keystone Exam on which the student did not achieve proficiency and demonstration of three pieces of evidence consistent with the student’s goals and career plans, and additional evidence as defined by The Pennsylvania Department of Education.
3. Career-Technology Pathway: Completion of locally established grade-based requirements for academic content areas associated with each Keystone Exam on which the student did not achieve proficiency and attainment of an industry-based competency certification related to the CTE Concentrator’s program of study, and additional evidence as defined by The Pennsylvania Department of Education.

In accordance with Act 158 and Act 136, statewide graduation requirements take effect with the class of 2023. Act 158 and Act 136 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 pathways are based solely on Keystone Exam scores, for that reason, all students, including any student enrolled in Biology, a 10^th grade English course, or Algebra I during the spring of the 2019-20 school who did not successfully complete the Academic Content Area Class related to the Keystone Exam will have the opportunity to complete the end of unit test that was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   Please note, dates may be subject to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic and PDE guidelines.  In the event of a change, new test dates and information will be delivered and on-going.

Prior to the exams, material continues to be embedded in your student’s curriculum for preparation for the test.  Additional study guides, remediation course work and practice material for the exams can be found at www.ambridge.k12.pa.us – Services – Guidance and Counseling – Please scroll to the bottom of the screen and select the Keystone Assessments tab.  All additional keystone information and a power-point explaining each pathway can also be found at this location for your reference.

Additional information in regards to the graduation requirements for 2023 and beyond related to ACT 158 and the Keystone Exams can be found at: PDE Keystone Website

Please feel free to contact the Guidance Department at (724) 266 – 2833, ext. 2377 with questions.

Ambridge Area High School Guidance Department

Prior to the exams, material continues to be embedded in your student’s curriculum for preparation for the test.  Additional study guides, remediation course work and practice material for the exams can be found at www.ambridge.k12.pa.us – Services – Guidance and Counseling – Please scroll to the bottom of the screen and select the Keystone Assessments tab.  All additional keystone information and a power-point explaining each pathway can also be found at this location for your reference.

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.

If your student has an Individualized Education Plan, we encourage you to speak to their case management team to discuss alternative pathways for graduation in accordance to their education.

Additional information in regards to the graduation requirements for 2022 and beyond related to ACT 158 and the Keystone Exams can be found at: https://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Assessment%20and%20Accountability/GraduationRequirements/Act158/Pages/Requirements.aspx

We recommend the following sites to assist with personalized practice tests, study guides and subject material:

1. https://www.khanacademy.org/sat – Khan Academy – Students can register free and create an account through Khan Academy.  Students can practice specific subjects including Algebra, Biology and Literature prior to the exam.  Khan includes study guides, practice tests and linked materials via CollegeBoard free for all students.
2. https://www.collegeboard.org/ – CollegeBoard has a vast array of resource materials that allows for students to access accounts, study materials and specific subject practice tests.
3. https://www.pdesas.org/Page/Viewer/ViewPage/8 – Click on the Left Hand Column for each specific testing area – The PDEAS explains formulas, grading and how the assessments will be scored for your reference.

If you have any specific questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the guidance office at 724-266-2833, ext. 2377.

As District Policy states: Participation in gradation is dependent upon fulfilling the outlined graduation requirements and credits pending on the graduation class standing. Should a senior fall short of credits in the required courses, they will not be eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony and walk with their class. Remediation and an approved credit recovery program via the Ambridge School District is required to be completed if the student is credit deficient in the subject area. Students are required to complete all graduation requirements and credits for receipt of a diploma and participation in the graduation ceremony.

Required subject areas and credit amounts needed for graduation are outlined in the student course selection book.

The classes specifically include English, Math, Science, Social Studies and Health & Physical Education.

In order to plan accordingly, credit recovery is offered via cyber during the school year for completion.  Students are encouraged to pick up a brochure in the guidance office and speak to their school counselor for enrollment.  Deadlines for completion are indicated and credit recovery is required to be completed in full to receive credit in the approved credit recovery program via Ambridge Area School District.  Students will receive assistance via virtual and academic teachers of record during this time.

Dependent on enrollment for the summer, credit recovery may also be offered during a scheduled summer date at Ambridge Area School District if the minimum number of students are met.  Students will complete the cyber credit recovery in the school building while completing on-line remediation at this time. Information for cyber credit recovery can be found on the Ambridge Area School District website.

A credit recovery fee is attached to each full semester course (1.0 credit) subject and must be paid in full prior to receiving a diploma. A credit recovery fee is also attached for each class that is half-semester in length (0.5 credit), and a student will be required to pay a fee for the class.  Payments are due and required prior to graduation in order for the student to receive their diploma. Payments are required to be made in full prior to the completion of the class.  Payments may be made through increments during the student’s educational years.  It is encouraged to speak to the Guidance Secretary for arrangements of payments to the office.

If not already doing so, we strongly encourage the student to take the necessary steps for academic improvement prior to credit recovery including speaking with their teacher directly to schedule after school tutoring, and/or to arrange in advance a time to receive additional help in the subject area for continued success.

If not successful, as a reminder, students must successfully make-up the course in an approved credit recovery program in order to receive their diploma prior to graduation. During their senior year, a failing grade in a course needed for graduation may prevent participation in the graduation ceremony. Outside credits will need pre-approval via the administration, and may not be granted permission to fulfill graduation requirements.  It is recommended the student complete the Ambridge Area Credit Recovery only.

To keep parents and students on-track:  Student and parents will be notified of areas needed for credit recovery during their school year. It is advised the parent/student arrange a meeting to discuss credit recovery options with the Academic teacher of record if concerns of credit recovery arise during the course of the school year.Attached is the highlighted transcript with the Credit Recovery information brochure to which your student can enroll in the Cyber Credit Recovery program for this school year. Credit Recovery completion: In order to receive credit for graduation, cyber classes must be completed in full by the designated date.  All payments for each 1.00 credit and .50 credit class must be paid in full in the given deadline for receipt of a grade and diploma.

Payments are to be submitted via cash, check or money order to: Ambridge Area School District and must be paid in full. Payments are to be submitted to the High School Guidance Office to Mrs. Misencik which the student will be issued a receipt of payment. Any questions can be directed to the guidance office.