The state attorney general's office has sent the proposed Keystone Exams regulation back with questions, but state Board of Education Chairman Joseph Torsella doesn't think that will be a roadblock for the state-mandated, end-of course high school exams.

The review by the attorney general is the final step before the regulation is published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and takes effect. While today had been the last day for the attorney general to make a decision, the questions now extend the timeline for review. It already was approved by the State Board of Education and the Independent Regulatory Review Commission.

Kevin Harley, spokesman for the attorney general, said three questions have been sent to the Office of General Counsel.

The questions focus on whether any changes were made in the final form regulations after the state board approved them on Aug. 13 and before the IRRC approved them on Oct. 22 and, if so, whether the state board took any additional action.

Mr. Torsella said no material changes were made although some technical ones were.

The state board motion to adopt the regulation included a statement authorizing state board staff "to edit the regulation in order to make technical corrections that are necessary to comport with state regulatory requirements."

"It's a bogus issue," Mr. Torsella said.

The proposed regulation calls for the state to provide 10 end-of-course exams, beginning with English literature, Algebra 1 and biology in 2010-11, with other English, math, science and social studies subjects being phased in through 2016-17. Students would be expected to be proficient on six of them -- or fulfill alternative requirements -- to graduate from high school.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.