SAS – Keystone Exam Webquest



SAS: Keystone Exam WebQuest

Why do we take the Keystone Exams?

Remember, your performance on the Keystone exams reflects your competency in academic content from 9th – 11th grade. The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in various subjects. During the 2012-2013 school year, the following Keystone Exams will be available: Algebra I, Literature and Biology. Your performance on the exams will be viewed by the community and higher education institutions to determine the rigor of your school, your ability to apply necessary knowledge and the overall quality of your education. Represent yourself and your school appropriately by preparing and doing your best!

Activity #1: Understanding the Grading System

Find the answers to the following questions @

1. What is a PLD?

2. Review the Literature Keystone PLD link. How can you ensure you achieve Advanced?

What performance tasks distinguish this level from basic or proficient?

Activity #2: Understanding the Exam’s Format (Content, Questions, Standards, & Rubric!)

Find the answers to the following questions @

1. How is the Keystone Literature Exam Aligned? (Hint: two modules)

2. Outline the basic format of the Keystone Literature Exam. (Note: construct response in bulleted list)

3. Review the general scoring guidelines for literature. What must you do to ensure you attain 3 points?

4. View the sample passage: “Up the Coolly” an excerpt from Main-Travelled Roads by Hamlin Garland, and answer the following:

a. What question did you identify as the most challenging? Why?

b. What reading skills do the questions seem to target? (Note: record response in list format)

c. Would you identify this passage and its questions as easy, appropriately challenging, or too hard?

(Select one question and defend your opinion with specific reasoning.)

5. (a) Review the Sample Constructed Response Question Student Samples.

(b) What advice would you give the student whose response scored ‘2’?

Be specific in your attempt to help them implement reading and writing strategies that will improve their grade.

(Tip: Review the rubric to aid in the advice you provide through the construction of your response)

Activity #3: Assessment Creator

Complete the following task @

Imagine you have been selected to serve on a student advisory committee participating in the construction of next year’s Keystone Exams. Investigate the ‘Assessment Creator’ and decide which three available passages should be included on the test. Defend your response by answering the prompt below.

Follow the steps below to access the sample assessments

• Step 1 – Select a Subject Area (choose Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening)

• Step 2 – Select a Grade Level (choose 11th Grade)

• Step 3 – Select Question Types (select Multiple Choice)

• Step 4 – Click ‘Search’

Task: (1) After following the above steps and reviewing the sample assessments, which two passage tests should be included on next

year’s Keystone Exam. List the titles and provide a persuasive response that discusses the content and standards tested by

your included assessments.

(2) Explain why your selected titles will provide information to colleges and future employers on student’s reading competency,

knowledge and capabilities.

Activity #4: Reference Materials

Find the answers to the following questions @

1. Which reference materials are most useful for students? Why?

Activity #5: Understanding Classroom Diagnostic Tools

Find the answers to the following questions @

1. What are Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT)?

2. What is the main difference between a diagnostic and a benchmark?

3. What do students and/or teachers need to do to gain access to CDT?

4. In your opinion, what are the advantages of using a CDT?

5. In your opinion, what drawbacks or complications may result from using a CDT?

Activity #6: Understanding Assessment

Find the answers to the following questions @

1. What is the overall purpose of assessment? Why is it important?

2. Compare and contrast any two types of assessment (summative, formative, benchmark or diagnostic)

3. Which type of assessment do you feel is most important? Why?

Activity #7: Materials and Resources

Find the answers to the following questions @

Task: (1) Explore the materials and resources page.

(2) Imagine your teacher has asked you for help in selecting and implementing a lesson that will help your class prepare for the

Keystone Exam. There are many different lessons available, which do you choose?

(3) Provide a summary of your lesson choice below, as well as, an explanation defending your selection. (Note: your explanation

should explain why your lesson would help your fellow classmates prepare for the Keystone Exam)

• Lesson Summary -

• Explanation (think about content, interest level, technology, needed skills, etc…) -

Activity #8: Online Study Resources

Review and evaluate the following online study resources to answer the questions listed below.

➢ Quizlet @

➢ Study Guide @

➢ Keystone Exam Review Packet @

➢ Keystone Exam Glossary of Testable Terms @

➢ Keystone Exam FAQ Power Point @

➢ Pennsylvania Voluntary Model Curriculum @

➢ Review Game Zone@

Activity #8 Questions (reference above links to construct your answers and provide supporting evidence)

1. Which online study resource do you believe is the most helpful? Why?

2. Which online study resource would you give the lowest rating? Why?

3. How can you use the above resources to improve your performance on the Keystone Exam? (Be specific)

Activity #9 Personal Evaluation

Reflect on your prior experiences, current academic performance and future expectations to answer the following questions:

1. How have you preformed on standardized tests in the past. Why do you think you obtained such results?

2. How do you think you will do on this year’s Keystone Exams? Why?

3. What concerns or questions do you have regarding the Keystone Exams?

4. List one way you plan to prepare to succeed on the Keystone Exams?

5. Why are the Keystone Exams important? How will your performance impact your future education or employment? How will your

performance impact your peers, parents/guardians and/or school?

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Directions:

(1) Save this document as a Word File

(2) Visit the following links and provide answers to each question, prompt or task

(3) Type your answers and responses directly beneath each corresponding question

(4) Print a final copy with your answers and submit your final copy for teacher evaluation

Goal: The goal of your WebQuest is to gain insight into the purpose, format, grading system and content of the Keystone Exams.

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