PSBA Moves Keystones Forward

[Jim Butt]

Numerous news articles on the passage by the Pennsylvania School
Boards Association of the plans for graduation exams.

http://www.psba.org/news-publications/headlines/

Keystone tests are intended to establish and measure state-wide
graduation standards and may replace the current PSSAs beginning in
2015. Students may be able to opt-out of the Keystones by passing
equivalent Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams.
Many details are still being worked out.

New York has their Regents exams -- do other states? What about
national standards? What about local community interests? Are
standardized tests the right way to measure student preparedness for
productive futures?

What are your thoughts on the Keystones? You can reply directly to
this message with any perspectives you'd like to share.

Jim

[u...@upgct.org]

Correction, it was the state board of education that moved plans forward. And also, these plans still require further approvals before implementation.

A few more thoughts, though.

Who pays for these tests? What happens to students who do not pass? What happens to Districts that do not pass enough students? Are there funded initiatives to support districts in improving their curricula and related programs?

If you have concerns or ideas, please share them.

Jim

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Butt <jb1...@gmail.com>

Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:36:10
To: Cheltenham Township United Parents Group<cheltenham-township-...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [UPG] PSBA Moves Keystones Forward