The state attorney general's office has given its approval to the Keystone Exams, leaving only one more step before the end-of-course high school exams become state policy for public schools.

The attorney general's office had delayed the approval process with questions about the regulation creating the exams.

After the state Board of Education answered the questions, the attorney general's office issued a memo Dec. 23 approving the regulation. State education officials acknowledged the approval today.

To take effect, the regulation still must be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. That's expected to occur next month.

Students graduating in 2015 would be the first to be affected by the Keystone Exams, a series of 10 end-of-course tests. Students would be required to pass at least six of them -- or fulfill alternative requirements -- to graduate.

Districts may opt to use their own tests in place of the Keystone Exams, but they must be as least as rigorous at the state-developed tests.

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