Hanover alters biology class to improve Keystone scores

Starting with the class of 2017, high school students must pass the state exam to graduate

By Lauren Linhard

llinhard@eveningsun.com

@linhardreports on Twitter

Hanover High School Principal Rina Houck said a high school performance profile is based on three main things: graduation rates, attendance rates and Keystone exam scores.

As part of the high school's focus plan, district administration and school staff have made some drastic changes bring the school's low biology Keystone and performance profile scores up-to-par with other area schools.

"For the class of 2017 and above, the Keystone is a graduation requirement so we have to make sure the kids have every opportunity to score proficient," Houck said. "All the changes we are making are just to help the kids learn better and learn more."

The Keystone is given at the completion of the algebra I, English II and biology courses. It acts as a comprehensive final to measure each student's understanding of information the state deems necessary to pass each course.

While more than 70 percent of students passed the literature and algebra one Keystones last year, Hanover High students earned a 20.75 percent passing rate in biology, a test that can be taken freshmen or sophomore year.

Though the results were less than desirable, they were able to offer teachers insight into needed curriculum adjustments, said biology teacher Jason Suter.

Read this article:
Hanover alters biology class to improve Keystone scores