1. All students must meet the above local credit requirements.

2. Students must score proficient or advanced on all three Keystone Exams – Algebra I, Biology, and Literature.   

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) created graduation requirements which will help guarantee that a high school diploma reflects the skills and knowledge graduating students need to be successful in college and the workplace in an increasingly complex and challenging economy.  These requirements are designed to help all students demonstrate proficiency in sate academic standards.  Through the Standards Aligned System (SAS) website, PDE provides downloadable resources, general information, and frequently asked questions regarding graduation requirements.

Understanding Act 158

Act 158 provides alternatives to Pennsylvania’s statewide requirement of attaining proficiency on the three end-of-course Keystone Exams (Algebra I, Literature, and Biology) in order for a student to achieve statewide graduation requirements.   Effective with the graduating class of 2023, students have the option to demonstrate postsecondary preparedness through one of four additional pathways that more fully illustrate college, career, and community readiness.  Keystone Exams will continue as the statewide assessment Pennsylvania uses to comply with accountability requirements set forth in the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). 

ACT 158 – Pathways to Graduation

1. Keystone Proficiency Pathway: Score proficient or advanced on each Keystone Exam (Algebra I, Literature, and Biology).

2. Keystone Composite Pathway: Earn a composite score (of 4452) between the three Keystone Exams (Algebra I, Literature, and Biology). The scores must include a score of Proficient or Advanced on at least one Keystone exam and at least Basic on the other two.

3. Alternative Assessment Pathway

   1. Successful completion of locally established, grade-based requirements in the Keystone aligned courses (Algebra I, English 10, Honors ELA 9, and Biology).

   2. AND (one of the following)

      1. Earn an established score on the SAT(1010), PSAT(970), ACT(21), ASVAB(31) 

      2. Gold Level on the ACT WorkKeys Assessment. 

      3. Earn an established score on a Keystone related AP Exam (Calculus AB or Statistics, Literature, Biology).

      4. Successful completion of a dual enrollment course in an academic content area associated with each Keystone Exam in which the student did not achieve a proficient score.  

      5. Successful completion of a pre-apprenticeship program.  

      6. Provide an unconditional acceptance letter from an accredited 4-year institution of higher education.

4. Evidence Based Pathway 

   1. Successful completion of locally established, grade-based requirements in the Keystone aligned courses (Algebra I, English 10, Honors ELA 9, and Biology).

   2. AND (one of the following) 

      1. Attainment of established score on one of the following:

         1. SAT subject test (630 or better) – this test is no longer given by CollegeBoard.

         2. ACT WorkKeys (Silver level or better) 

         3. Advanced Placement Exam (3 or better on any AP exam) 

         4. International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Exam ( 3 or better on any IB exam) – we offer the AP program at EHS, not the IB program.

      2. Successful completion of a dual enrollment or postsecondary course  

      3. Attainment of an industry-recognized credential  

      4. Provide an unconditional acceptance letter from an-other-than- 4-year institution of higher education or Institution of higher education for college level course work. 

         1. AND (two additional pieces of evidence from the following) 

            1. Attainment of a score of proficient or advanced on a Keystone Exam

            2. Successful completion of a service learning project  

            3. Letter guaranteeing full-time employment or military enlistment 

            4. Completion of an internship, externship or cooperative education program

            5. Compliance with NCAA Division II academic requirement.

5. Career & Technical Education Pathway 

   1. Successful completion of locally established, grade-based requirements in the Keystone aligned courses (Algebra I, English 10, Honors ELA 9, and Biology).

   2. AND (one of the following)  

      1. Attainment of an industry-based competency certification related to the CTE Concentrator’s program of study. 

      2. Demonstration of a high likelihood of success on an approved industry-based competency assessment.

      3. Readiness for continued meaningful engagement in the CTE Concentrator’s program of study.

Administration and School Counselors will be working closely with each student to review each pathway and to assist all students in finding the best pathway to meet the statewide graduation requirement.  

Additional ACT 158 Resources

• Graduation Requirements through Alternate Pathways

• ACT 158 Toolkit from PA Department of Education (Webpage / PDF)

• Pathway to Graduation graphic 

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Ephrata High School
803 Oak Boulevard,
Ephrata, PA 17522
Phone: (717) 721-1478
Fax: (717) 721-1129

Doors open: 7:55 AM
School in Session: 8:10 AM - 3:00 PM

Click here for 2-Hr Delay Hours.