New Exams for Juniors Present Challenge

What do algebra 1, biology and literature all have in common?

They will be the topics juniors will tackle in this year’s Keystone Exams, according to David Weber, co-director of curriculum. 

The tests, offered in December, January and May, will replace the PSSA, according to Weber – and create some challenges for the district in the process.

“A lot of our 11^th-graders have not sat in an algebra class for several years,” Weber said. “We are a little concerned with some of our students not being fresh with those courses.”

Weber told the Hatboro-Horsham School Board during Monday’s meeting that officials have already begun taking “some steps to make sure our kids will be ready for those tests.”

The exams are one component of Pennsylvania’s proposed system of high school graduation requirements, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education Web site. Keystone Exams will help school districts guide students toward meeting state standards.

Weber said students in seventh- through 11^th-grades would be impacted by Keystone Exams.

At the middle school level, Weber said the district is working to develop common assessment that would align with course content to help teachers gauge specifically if students have learned the material.

John Nodecker, Hatboro-Horsham assistant superintendant for secondary education, said the Keystone Exams are an example of a mandate that the district must follow.

“The rules have changed and they have to interpret that,” Nodecker said of Weber and curriculum co-director Karen Czarny. “Somebody has to make sure we’re on track.”

This summer, while students have enjoyed their summer vacations, Czarny said many of the district’s teachers have worked to keep that positive momentum going and “continued to grow” through work with the curriculum team.

Beginning Thursday, Czarny said the  to new, or different assignments, or moved to a new school, will work with fellow teachers in preparing for the new school year.