Not passing the Keystone exams typically prevents a student from graduating high school and earning a standard diploma. These state-mandated assessments are crucial for demonstrating proficiency in core subjects and are often a prerequisite for high school graduation.
The Retake Requirement and Deadline
If a student fails a Keystone exam, they are generally required to retake it. This process continues until a passing score is achieved. A critical deadline for passing these exams is typically by the end of a student's junior year. Failing to meet this deadline can have significant implications for graduation.
The Challenge of Retesting Over Time
A major difficulty associated with repeated attempts is that students can become further and further removed from the original learning content. As time passes since the initial instruction, recalling specific information and concepts for the exam can become increasingly challenging without focused review or remediation. This natural loss of memory makes each subsequent attempt potentially harder.
Consequences of Never Passing the Keystones
Failing to pass the Keystone exams, especially after multiple attempts and past the designated deadlines, leads to severe consequences regarding a student's high school completion.
- Inability to Graduate: The most direct outcome is the inability to receive a standard high school diploma. Without this diploma, opportunities for higher education, military service, and certain employment paths can be limited.
- Alternative Pathways: Students may need to explore alternative pathways to demonstrate their academic proficiency, such as earning a General Educational Development (GED) credential or pursuing adult education programs, which are not equivalent to a standard high school diploma.
- Remediation and Support: Schools often provide various forms of support for students struggling to pass, including:
- Targeted Remediation Courses: Classes specifically designed to review and reinforce the content covered on the Keystone exams.
- Tutoring Services: One-on-one or small-group help to address specific areas of weakness.
- Summer School Programs: Opportunities to retake courses or prepare for exams during extended breaks.
- Alternative Assessments: In some cases, states or districts may offer alternative ways to demonstrate proficiency, though this varies widely.
Summary of Keystone Exam Outcomes
| Action / Status | Implication |
|---|---|
| Fail initial attempt | Required to retake the test. |
| Do not pass by Junior Year | At significant risk of not meeting graduation requirements. |
| Never pass Keystones | Will not receive a standard high school diploma; limits future opportunities. |
| Pass Keystones | Fulfills a key graduation requirement, enabling diploma receipt. |
Passing the Keystone exams is a vital step in completing high school and opening doors for future academic and career pursuits. Students are encouraged to utilize all available resources to meet these requirements.
