Act 158 Graduation Requirements (Keystone Exams)
Beginning with the graduating class of 2023, Pennsylvania requires all students to meet the Act 158 graduation requirements to earn a high school diploma. Act 158 provides several pathways to graduation, giving students multiple ways to show they are ready for success after high school. The first two pathways are based on Keystone Exam scores in Algebra I, Biology, and Literature. Students who earn passing scores or demonstrate proficiency through composite scoring automatically meet graduation requirements through these pathways.
Students who do not meet the Keystone pathways still have three other options to qualify for graduation through alternate pathways. These additional routes are designed to recognize the many ways students demonstrate their learning and future readiness. For a detailed explanation of each graduation pathway, please review the Pennsylvania Pathways to Graduation document.
If your Keystone scores do not fulfill Pathway 1 or 2, or if you are unsure which pathway applies to you, it’s important to schedule a meeting with your school counselor as soon as possible. Your counselor can help review your progress, explore your available options, and create a personalized plan to ensure you meet Act 158 requirements.
For more information, or to translate the below information, visit the PDE Graduation Requirements webpage.