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For Immediate
Release
10/23/09
Education Chair Praises IRRC Approval of
Regulations to Advance Keystone Exams
HARRISBURG – Senator Jeffrey E.
Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, issued the following
statement today lauding the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) for
their recent approval of the final form regulations to change end-of-course
statewide testing requirements for Pennsylvania high school students, known as
the Keystone Exams.
"I applaud IRRC’s decision to
approve these regulations which are necessary to help ensure that a high school
diploma means something in all school districts across our Commonwealth. After
spending the last year working with my colleagues on the Senate Education
Committee, the State Board of Education, and various educational interest groups
to develop the testing requirements, I am pleased to see that Pennsylvania will
finally move forward and take the steps necessary to implement these new
tools."
"Under the leadership of Chairman
Joe Torsella, the State Board is also to be commended for their work in
developing and advancing a sound compromise that encompasses the concerns of
lawmakers as well as those representing our teachers, administrators, and school
boards."
"Many students in the Commonwealth are graduating today from high schools
with little or no basic competency in core subjects, which is costing
Pennsylvania taxpayers $24 million a year just for basic remediation in our
State System of Higher Education universities and community colleges. Our
employers in the state also have substantial costs in providing remedial skills
to ensure basic competencies for their workforce. It’s time to end this
disturbing trend. The Keystone Exams will deliver long-overdue
accountability while maintaining local control in our educational system."
Contact:
Colleen Greer
(717) 787-6801
Additional Information:
Education
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