Unit of Credit | Subject |
---|---|
4 | English |
3 | Mathematics |
3 | Science |
3 | Social Studies |
Pennsylvania has updated its high school graduation requirements and aligned secondary school curriculum to the Common Core Standards that have been adopted by 42 states and the District of Columbia.
Pennsylvania requires all high school graduates to have a minimum of 21 credits, including 4 credits in English, 3 credits in math, 3 credits in science, and 3 credits in social studies.
Students in Pennsylvania also need to pass Keystone Exams, which are state assessment tests, in algebra I, biology, and literature in order to graduate. In 2019, the Keystone Exam requirements will include an exam in composition, and, in 2020, a civics and government exam will be added as a graduation requirement.
Students in Pennsylvania may also be required to meet additional requirements established by their local education agency, which is the school district where their school is located.
Pennsylvania's graduation requirements began to be reshaped in 2018, so students who enter high school after that time will have different targets they must meet in order to receive a diploma. Much of the basis for the change is centered on a reduced reliance on standardized testing, so many of the overall goals remain similar.
Under the new system, there are five pathways to graduation, offering several alternative ways to graduate without using the federally mandated standardized tests that follow certain courses. Course and credit requirements may still exist at schools at the local level, as local education agencies are allowed to add supplementary requirements ...
The Keystone Proficiency and Composite pathways still make use of standardized tests, referred to as keystone exams , required at the end of courses in algebra I, literature, and biology, and they are very similar to previous graduation requirements.
The Alternate Assessment provides locally developed requirements that can be met as an alternative to proficiency scores on the keystone exams, which might include SAT/ACT/etc. scores, AP exam scores, or even acceptance to a university or apprenticeship program.
Yes. Students who opt out of one or more Keystone Exams must still meet state and local graduation requirements. Students may meet the statewide graduation requirement through one of the multiple pathways described in the Requirements section above. Note that students opting out will affect the student participation rate related to a school’s accountability status.
school entity may offer supplemental instruction to a student who does not demonstrate proficiency on a Keystone Exam or on a locally validated assessment; however, no student is required to participate.
chief school administrator may grant a waiver of the requirements for demonstrations of proficiency on the Keystone Exams or alternative graduation requirements for a student in grade 12 or to accommodate a student who experiences extenuating circumstances (e.g., serious illness, death in the student’s immediate family, family emergency, frequent school transfers, transfer from out-of-state in grade 12).
No later than December 1, 2022, and each December 1 thereafter, each school entity must submit a report on the number of students who graduated and a summary of how proficiency was met by those students. More information will be forthcoming on the method of reporting in future guidance.
When the time comes to enroll in an educational program, knowing what the state of Pennsylvania requires will help you on the road to certification. For instance, you must at least earn a Bachelor’s Degree in order to teach. There are two possible timeframes for being awarded your degree as you work through the teaching program.
The state exams are next on your list. The tests you will be required to take in order to apply for your teaching license are called the Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) tests. As of October 2014, the exams were undergoing changes in testing requirements. It would be wise to access the PAPA site for updates.
After you are out of college and passed the degree program, completed the teacher preparation units, and passed the PAPA tests, you can apply for certification. There are different levels of state certification. The first is the initial certificate at Level I and will stay valid for six years maximum.
When you have reached Level II and it’s time to renew the certificate, you must complete 180* hours of professional development courses in order to gain renewal. Before enrolling in any course, contact your school principal for instructions on courses they may require.
Schools in Pennsylvania over the past few decades have seen many changes. As our economy continues to rely more and more on skilled educated workers, Pennsylvania schools have worked to meet that demand. There are currently about 500 public schools in the state that vary how they teach and how they pay their teachers.
If your high school doesn't offer advanced language courses or calculus, the admissions folks will typically learn this from your counselor's report, and this won't be held against you . The admissions folks want to see that you have taken the most challenging courses available to you.
In general, it isn't difficult to meet these requirements if you put in a little effort as you plan your high school courses with your guidance counselor. The bigger challenge is for students applying to highly selective schools that want to see high school coursework that goes well beyond minimum core requirements.
Always keep in mind that your high school record is the most important part of your college application . When selecting classes, you may be handicapping yourself on the college admissions front if you take the easy path.
Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with 20 years of experience helping students transition to college. While admissions standards vary greatly from one school to another, nearly all colleges and universities will be looking to see that applicants have completed a standard core curriculum.
Students without these classes may be automatically disqualified for admission (even at open-admissions colleges), or they may be admitted provisionally and need to take remedial courses to gain an appropriate level of college readiness.
The Yale University admissions website, as an example, states, "Yale does not have any specific entrance requirements (for example, there is no foreign language requirement for admission to Yale). But we do look for students who have taken a balanced set of the rigorous classes available to them.
Always keep in mind that the "minimum" simply means you won't be disqualified immediately. The strongest applicants typically exceed the minimum requirements.
High school English teachers use their training in literature, reading, and writing to ensure that their students meet state educational standards. Teachers plan and deliver lessons, evaluate student work, and assess students' progress.
Qualifications for an English teacher position in high school vary by state, but in public schools, they are typically required to earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited degree program, complete teacher training courses, and pass teacher certification exams.
The first step in the process of becoming a high school English teacher is completing an undergraduate degree. Although an English degree or coursework may be required in some states, other states allow applicants to teach any subject for which they can pass the required exam.
Eligibility Guidelines. At least one full year of transferable academic course work (8 courses) must be completed by the spring term prior to enrollment. Summer coursework taken in the summer immediately preceding enrollment will not count toward one of the 8 transferable courses.
Summer coursework taken in the summer immediately preceding enrollment will not count toward one of the 8 transferable courses. Students who are completing their senior year of high school concurrently with their first year of college, or who are enrolled in a dual-enrollment program taking courses in college while still enrolled in high school, ...
Likewise, the vast majority of high schools require 4 years of English in order for you to graduate. These 4 years are cumulative, meaning each year builds on what you learned before, and now each year is most likely based on ...
AP English Classes. There are two AP English options: AP English Language and Composition. if your school offers both AP English classes, this is the one you'll take Junior year. this class and exam are all about how writers do what they do: how they use rhetoric, genre, style, and how they play with audience expectations.
11th Grade focuses on American literature. your writing gets more complex, as you do your own research and use outside sources. you now start reading not just for content but also for historical context, period, setting, and point of view. this is a good year to take American history as well.
12th Grade looks out at the world. you read British literature and sometimes world literature, depending on your high school. you put all your skills together, analyzing complex literature and nonfiction. you produce research papers, presentations, and maybe even multimedia projects. this may be a good year to also take European or world history.
Language A: Literature. this course focuses on the analysis of literary texts. Language A: Language and Literature. this class takes the analysis further by looking at both literary and non literary genres, and by considering how the context of writing or reading something affects its meaning.
And there are many other subjects that focus on reading, analyzing, and writing about texts—subjects like philosophy, theater studies, world religions, psychology, or anthropology.
One of the single most important parts of your college application is what classes you choose to take in high school (in conjunction with how well you do in those classes).
Once all of the above steps to Pennsylvania teacher certification have been completed, applicants can apply for licensure through the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS). The following documentation must be provided: 1 Verification of bachelor’s degree. 2 Verification of completion of an approved teacher education program. 3 Submission of passing test scores on all required exams. 4 Payment of non-refundable processing fees.
The Pennsylvania State Department of Education Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality oversees the certification process, which is outlined below to help you learn how to become a teacher in Pennsylvania.
There are six regional accreditation agencies overseen by the US Department of Education. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) ...
Pennsylvania requires that all individuals seeking initial educator certification at the bachelor’s degree level take and pass basic skills tests as well as subject-area expertise exams in the content area they wish to teach.
Pennsylvania requires that all individuals seeking initial educator certification at the bachelor’s degree level take and pass basic skills tests as well as subject-area expertise exams in the content area they wish to teach. Candidates will typically take the first set of exams prior to admittance to a program.
All teaching applicants must submit a fingerprint-based state and federal background check before applying for Pennsylvania educator certification. The process is started by registering through the web-based application Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (PATCH).
With a degree, you can substitute for up to 20 days in one position. To work for longer than 20 days in the same position, you must obtain an emergency permit through the Pennsylvania Department of Education or have state certification.