The bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to introduce a new section focused on conducting a feasibility study regarding the use of the ACT and SAT as alternatives to the Keystone Exams for high school students. The Secretary of Education is tasked with contracting an independent study to evaluate whether these standardized tests can replace the current Keystone Exams in literature, algebra I, and biology, in compliance with federal requirements. The study must be completed within one year and will assess the alignment of the ACT and SAT with Pennsylvania's core academic standards, the comparability of their results to the Keystone Exams, and their suitability for students with disabilities and English learners.

Additionally, the study will analyze whether the ACT and SAT provide unbiased differentiation among schools within the state's accountability system and if they meet the necessary technical quality criteria for federal assessment peer review. The bill includes specific definitions for terms such as "ACT," "Keystone Exam," "SAT," and "Secretary" to clarify the language used in the new section. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 2159 (Jul 22, 2025): P.L.30, No.14