Pennsylvania

Wolf Signs 2-Year Halt in Keystone Exams' Graduation Mandate

He says the testing system "is at best incomplete" and puts undue burdens on faculty.

A requirement that Pennsylvania students pass the Keystone Exams to graduate high school is on hold for at least two years, although Gov. Tom Wolf says that doesn't mean he's against testing or accountability.

The Democratic governor on Wednesday signed a bill putting the tests' graduation requirement on ice until the 2018-19 academic year.

The legislation passed the General Assembly unanimously. Wolf says more time's needed to fix implementation issues and to find the best ways to measure student achievement.

He says the testing system "is at best incomplete" and puts undue burdens on faculty.

Reasons for the delay include significant failure rates and the costs and time involved in helping students pass the alternative "project based assessment."

The State Board of Education approved the Keystone Exams in 2013.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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