5 Pathways for Graduation 

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In accordance with Pennsylvania’s Act 158 of 2018, beginning with the graduating class of 2023, students must , in addition to the 22 credits outlined in Policy 217, also meet the statewide graduation requirements in one of five ways.

 

  • Pathway 1 - Keystone Proficiency Pathway: Scoring proficient or advanced on each Keystone Exam - Algebra 1, Literature, and Biology. 

 

  • Pathway 2 - Keystone Composite Pathway: Earning a satisfactory composite score of 4452 on the Algebra 1, Literature, and Biology Keystone exams (while achieving at least a proficient score on at least one of three exams and no less than a basic on the remaining two). *A Non-Numeric Proficient (NNP) is not eligible for this pathway.

 

  • Pathway 3 – CTE Pathway: For Career and Technical Education (CTE) Concentrators, (JCSD AG, Health Professions, Trades or Mifflin Academy students) They must successfully complete  Biology, Algebra I, and English 10 classes associated with each Keystone Exam on which the student did not achieve proficiency  and complete the CTE program or the attainment of an industry-based competency certification related to the CTE Concentrator’s program of study.  For further explanation of the CTE Pathway, please see PDE’s Act 6 guidance.  

 

  • Pathway 4 - Alternate Assessment Pathway: Successful completion of JCSD Biology, Algebra I, and English 10 classes associated with each Keystone Exam on which the student did not achieve proficiency and one of the following: 

  1.   Attainment of an established score on an approved alternate assessment 

  SAT: score of 1010  

  PSAT: score of 970 

  ACT: score of 21  

  ASVAB: AFQT of 31 

  1.   Attainment of an established score of 3 on an Advanced Placement Program (AP) in an academic content area associated with each Keystone Exam on which the student did not achieve at least a proficient score. 

  1.   Successful completion of a concurrent (dual)  enrollment course in an academic content area associated with each Keystone Exam in which the student did not achieve at least a proficient score. 

  1.   Successful completion of a pre-apprenticeship program. 

  1.  Acceptance in an accredited 4-year nonprofit institution of higher education and evidence of the ability to enroll in college-level coursework. 

 

  • Pathway 5 - Evidence Based Pathway: Successful completion of JCSD Biology, Algebra I, and English 10 classes 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. Students must achieve a total of 3 pieces of evidence from the following list. Please note a maximum of 2 pieces of evidence is allowed from section 5. 

  1. Attainment of established score on a SAT subject test, an Advanced Placement Program Exam: 

    SAT Subject Test score of 630 or

    AP Program Exam: score of 3 

  2. Acceptance in an accredited, other than 4-year nonprofit institution of higher education and evidence of the ability to enroll in college-level coursework. 

  1. Attainment of an industry-recognized credential. 

  1. Successful completion of a concurrent (dual) enrollment or postsecondary course 

  1.  (Maximum of 2 accepted from this section): 

    • Satisfactory completion of a service-learning project;

    •  attainment of a score of proficient or advanced on a Keystone Exam;

    •  a letter guaranteeing full-time employment;

    •  a certificate of successful completion of an internship or cooperative education program;

    •  or satisfactory compliance with the NCAA’s core courses for college-bound student athletes with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. 

*STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Any student with a disability who satisfactorily completes a special education program developed by an individualized education program (IEP) team who does not otherwise meet the new statewide requirements (Act 158 or Act 6) shall be granted and issued a regular high school diploma.