Pathways to Graduation
Act 158 – Pathways to Graduation
In accordance with Pennsylvania’s Act 158 of 2018, effective with the graduating class of 2023, students must meet statewide graduation requirements through the designated graduation pathways. 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 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). Although students will no longer be required to achieve proficiency on the Keystone Exams in order to meet statewide graduation requirements, students must take the Keystone Exams for purposes of federal accountability.
Below are the five designated graduation pathways that students can utilize to meet statewide graduation requirements.
- Pathway 1 - Keystone Proficiency
- Pathway 2 - Keystone Composite
- Pathway 3 - Career and Technical Education (CTE) Concentrator
- Pathway 4 - Alternative Assessment
- Pathway 5 - Evidence-Based
Parkland High School will help guide students to a viable pathway based upon offerings available through the school.
For students who transfer into PHS, the school will accept demonstrated completion of a pathway from a previous school district with necessary and appropriate records. The links below provide detailed information about the pathways.