Upper Darby high school to administer Keystone exams beginning Jan. 5; district details schedule and opt-out process

High school administrators presented the annual Keystone exam overview to the Education and People Service Committee and reviewed logistics for the winter testing window.

Administrators said the Keystone exams serve state accountability and Act 158 graduation-pathway purposes and federal ESSA accountability. For the winter window the district will begin testing on Jan. 5 (first day back from break). During the six-day testing period the high school will operate on a modified schedule: students testing will begin at 7:30 a.m.; students not testing will start at 11:00 a.m. The district will administer exams online and requires students to bring district-issued, charged Chromebooks for testing; personal electronic devices will be collected and returned after testing.

Administrators reminded parents that, under state code and district policy 127, parents may request a religious opt-out from testing by contacting the building directly and following established procedures. The district said detailed schedules have been communicated to families and that testing procedures and expectations for staff and students are established.