Dear Parents / Guardians:

The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires school districts in Pennsylvania to administer the Algebra I Keystone Exam to all students who are enrolled in Algebra I to meet federal, state, and Mars Area School District graduation requirements.

Mars Area Middle School will use the following schedule to complete the Algebra I Keystone exam:

• Day 1 – Monday, May 19 – Module #1 – Algebra I Keystone Exam
• Testing Periods 1, 2, 3 (8:03 AM – 10:09 AM)
• Tuesday Period Order: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
   
• Day 2 – Tuesday, May 20 – Module #2 – Algebra I Keystone Exam
• Testing Period 9, 8, 5 (8:03 AM – 10:09 AM)
• Wednesday Period Order: 9, 8, 5, 4, 3, 6, 7, 1, 2

The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires students to score Proficient or Advanced on the Algebra I end-of-course Keystone Exam.  Students who do not score proficient on the exam will have the opportunity to re-test in the winter or spring testing windows. 

Below, you will find a website link to ACT 158 Pennsylvania Graduation Requirements that explains several pathways to meet graduation requirements. We believe your child is very capable of meeting the Keystone Proficiency Pathway.  We encourage your child to take this exam so that they can get one-step closer to meeting ACT 158 requirements as early as possible.

Pennsylvania Department of Education – Act 158 Pennsylvania Graduation Requirements -  https://pdesas.org/Frameworks/DCEToolKit/Act158PathwaysToGraduationToolkit

Pennsylvania Keystone Exams - Parent Information - https://static.pdesas.org/Content/Documents/Keystone_Parent_Letter_05-03-11.pdf 

The results of all Keystone Exams will be reported to you as a parent or guardian.  In addition to individual student results, the district will receive subject area results that show how well our students are performing on these exams.  School personnel will use the information to analyze our educational programs.

If you have any questions regarding the Keystone Exams, please visit the Standards Aligned System website at www.pdesas.org or contact the Mars Area Middle School at 724-625-3145.

We will begin testing promptly at the start times listed above.  Please do not schedule any appointments on the mornings of the testing dates and make sure your child attends school on time.  Thank you for your cooperation!

Sincerely,

Todd J. Kolson
Principal