Nearly Finalized Rules Mean PA High School Students Must Pass Test To Graduate
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Controversial rules requiring Pennsylvania high school students to pass proficiency tests to graduate are nearly official. But opponents vow to continue their fight against the Keystone Exams.
A state panel this week approved a plan to make high school students pass Keystone Exams in biology, algebra and language arts before they can get their diplomas. Chester County Democratic State Senator Andy Dinniman has been a vocal critic.
"You could get all A's in all your courses," Dinniman says, "And because you don't test well, not graduate. It just doesn't make sense."
But pending a review by the state attorney general, it'll be the rule, starting with the Class of 2017. Students who fail can take the test again and then do a project if necessary to graduate.
Dinniman says he plans to fight back by introducing several bills, including one saying you can't use the test to determine graduation, and another allowing parents to opt out.
