For the 2024-25 school year, the Keystones are scheduled from May 12-20, with the Literature exam on May 12-13, Biology on May 14-15 and Algebra on May 19-20.
Guidance Counselor Ms. Leslie Robinson, who coordinates the exams, said on the test days, students that are not scheduled for exams will operate on a two-hour delay schedule.
The major difference from last year is that some people will take the tests online and some on paper. For the past several years, all Milton students took the paper/ pencil version of the exams, she added.
“We need to see if the system can handle everyone taking the test at the same time,” Ms. Robinson said.
All students in Algebra 1, English 10 and Biology will be taking the tests. “Students in these classes should already know that they will be taking the exams at the end of the school year,” she added.
Ms. Robinson said some of the Literature Keystones will be online and others on paper. The Biology and Algebra Keystones will be issued as paper-pencil.
“The plan for next year is for everyone to take the tests online,” she added. She said the state government is shifting to online testing because it is cheaper than having to print so much paper.
“The schedule and testing rooms will be released closer to the end of the year.” Ms. Robinson said.
Ms. Robinson said another difference is that the exams are only scheduled for May, instead of offering a January testing session. When the high school operated on the block schedule, some people took the Keystones in January, but now that the period schedule is in effect, most students will take the test then.
If a student fails the Keystone, they will be placed in a remediation class next year. “Examples are Keystone Biology, Keystone Algebra, Keystone Literature. After those classes, students will take Keystones again,” Ms. Robinson added.
“Ultimately when students do not pass the Keystone exams there are consequences that relate to graduation,” she said. “The first two pathways involve passing Keystone Exams in some form. If students do not meet one of those pathways, the next easiest is to meet the CTE pathway”
If a CTE program is not an option, then students must take the Alternative Assessment pathway. If students don’t meet the standards for that, then they have to take the “evidence-based” pathway, she said.
