HB 1752 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in preliminary provisions, providing for Keystone Exam alternative feasibility study.

PRINTER'S NO.    2159

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 1752
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY CURRY, ORTITAY, PROBST, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ AND RIVERA,
        JULY 21, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JULY 22, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
 2      act relating to the public school system, including certain
 3      provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
 4      schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
 5      laws relating thereto," in preliminary provisions, providing
 6      for Keystone Exam alternative feasibility study.
 7      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 8   hereby enacts as follows:
 9      Section 1.    The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
10   as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
11   section to read:
12      Section 121.2.    Keystone Exam Alternative Feasibility
13   Study.--(a)   The secretary shall contract for an independent
14   study to determine whether the ACT and SAT may be administered
15   in lieu of the current Statewide, standardized Keystone Exams in
16   literature, algebra I and biology for high school students
17   consistent with Federal requirements under 20 U.S.C. § 6311(b)
18   (2)(H) (relating to state plans).
19      (b)   The secretary shall submit, within one year after the
20   effective date of this subsection, a report containing the
 1   results of the study and recommendations to the Governor, the
 2   chairperson and minority chairperson of the Education Committee
 3   of the Senate and the chairperson and minority chairperson of
 4   the Education Committee of the House of Representatives. The
 5   study shall include the following:
 6      (1)   An evaluation of the degree to which the ACT and SAT
 7   align with Pennsylvania core academic standards and are suitable
 8   for use in lieu of the Statewide Keystone Exams in literature,
 9   algebra I and biology.
10      (2)   Studies, research and analyses required to determine the
11   extent to which the ACT and SAT test results provide comparable,
12   valid and reliable data on student achievement as compared to
13   the Keystone Exams for all students and for each subgroup of
14   students.
15      (3)   A determination of whether the ACT and SAT provide
16   testing accommodations that permit students with disabilities
17   and English learners the opportunity to participate in each
18   assessment and receive comparable benefits.
19      (4)   Analyses to determine whether the ACT and SAT provide
20   unbiased, rational and consistent differentiation among schools
21   within the Commonwealth's accountability system.
22      (5)   An evaluation to determine whether the ACT and SAT meet
23   the criteria for technical quality that all Statewide
24   assessments must meet for Federal assessment peer review.
25      (c)   As used in this section, the following words and phrases
26   shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
27   the context clearly indicates otherwise:
28      "ACT."   A standardized test for the assessment of college
29   readiness administered by ACT.
30      "Keystone Exam."   An assessment developed or caused to be

20250HB1752PN2159                  - 2 -
1   developed by the Department of Education under 22 Pa. Code §
2   4.51b(a) (relating to Keystone Exams).
3      "SAT."   A standardized test for the assessment of college
4   readiness administered by the College Board.
5      "Secretary."   The Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth.
6      Section 2.   This act shall take effect immediately.




20250HB1752PN2159                 - 3 -