For several years, the Keystone state tests have been mandatory for students to pass prior to graduation, but when Covid-19 shut down schools, the tests had to be excused for the year. Many students are now wondering if they will have to make up their tests that they missed last year and if this will influence their graduation procedures.

Penn-Trafford principal Tony Aquilio is a Keystone administrator and said that they have put a hold on the Keystone exams that traditionally fall in the spring and winter months. The state approved schools giving the exam in October; however, Aquilio said, “Recently there is an amendment to a bill going through that has already passed and is now on the senate floor looking to waive the Keystone exams for students that took the courses last year and those signed up to take them this year.” 

     If the bill is passed, the students that have taken the courses this year and last year will be excused from taking that course’s Keystone exam.

     In the past year, the Keystones were put on transcripts for students when they graduate, so some are concerned that this ‘bump’ in the testing process will prove to be an issue later on when graduating. Aquilio said, “We’re going to waive them so that the tests don’t affect GPAs or are put on student’s transcripts.”

     If students have passed the course overall, they would be considered to have passed the exams so long as the bill passes. 

     Tiffany Stewart and Lew McCracken are school assessment coordinators that are in charge of signing up students, finding those that need to retest, and covering overall procedures with the Keystones. They have both said that this will not cause any future issues for the affected students in regards to applying for colleges. Stewart also said that “this is an ongoing and changing situation. As soon as information is shared with us from the state we will be sure that it gets out to the students and parents.”

     Aquilio added, “I’m actually hoping, personally and professionally, that lawmakers and politicians decide to wave it because again, kids are then thrown into this situation from this year and even last year where they’re not getting the same traditional education.” 

     He also said that he knows each student would be prepared and ready if they have to take the exams, but recognizes that this time is tough and not traditional.

Editor in Chief, Hannah Hizer