Page 10 - FinalPRHSPOS1819

Keystone Requirements

Based on recent and ongoing legislative action in Pennsylvania, proficiency on Keystone Exams is not a state graduation
requirement for students in the Class of 2018 (current seniors) and Class of 2019 (current juniors). The Pennsylvania
Department of Education (PDE) has issued a Frequently Asked Questions document on this topic. The Pine-Richland
School District website will be updated with current information and local requirements. However, federal regulations still
require schools to participate in state assessments. In addition, Pine-Richland graduation policy requirements
stipulate that students must demonstrate mastery of the PA Core Standards on the Keystone Exams or local
assessments. Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in three subjects:
Algebra I, Literature and Biology. Keystone Exams are one component of Pennsylvania’s system of high school
graduation requirements and help school districts guide students toward meeting state standards.

Keystone Exams are typically taken during the spring of the year in which a student is enrolled in the given
course. Students must demonstrate proficiency on each of the three Keystone Exams. If a student does not receive a
score of “Advanced” or “Proficient” on a Keystone Exam, the student is permitted to retest during designated windows
established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Students who score below proficient on any Keystone Exam are encouraged to complete a corresponding Keystone
supplemental instruction course. Pine-Richland High School offers two options for remediation: USA Test Prep, and a
face-to-face course worth 0.5 elective credits. High school administrators and school counselors will work with students
and families to make decisions about the appropriate intervention on an individual student basis.

Promotion Requirements

● To receive credit for a course, a student must earn a D (60%) or better.
● Promotion from 9th to 10th grade requires a student to earn at least 6 credits.
● Promotion from 10th to 11th grade requires a student to earn a combined total of at least 12 credits.
● Promotion from 11th grade to 12th grade requires a student to earn a combined total of at least 18 credits.
● Special Considerations

o Regardless of the number of promotion credits, students must pass all required subjects to
graduate.

● Promotion requirements are reviewed at the end of each year. Students and parents are informed
if a student is not promoted.

Incomplete Grades

Students who have not completed the work for a class assigned during a quarter receive an incomplete grade on their
report card. Students have two weeks after the report card is distributed to complete the missing work. If the work is not
completed within two weeks of distribution of the report card, the missing work will be marked as a zero and a new quarter
grade will be calculated.

Failed Courses

Students must work with their school counselors or a building administrator to plan how the course credit will be made up.
Options to recover credits necessary for graduation are:

1. Repeat the course at PRHS in the following academic year. Both grades will appear on the transcript. The new
grade may replace the old grade in the student’s grade point average calculation

2. Attend a regularly accredited summer school. The failed course will be calculated into a student’s grade point
average. The recovered course will not be calculated into a student’s grade point average.

3. Pass a licensed correspondence course that has prior approval. See your counselor for additional information*.
Per Policy 124, all fees for non-PRHS courses are the student’s responsibility. The failed course will be
calculated into a student’s grade point average. The recovered course will not be calculated into a student’s
grade point average.

4. Take a pre-approved course online over the summer*. Per Policy 124, all fees for non-PRHS courses are the

student’s responsibility. The failed course will be calculated into a student’s grade point average. The recovered
course will not be calculated into a student’s grade point average.

*These options will impact NCAA eligibility. Individuals that desire to participate in collegiate athletics should advise their
counselor prior to finalizing an option for credit recovery.

2018-2019 Pine-Richland High School Program of Studies 10 | P a g e