A new state regulation requiring schools give end-of-course graduation exams has been published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

The Keystone Exams regulation late last week was published in the bulletin, the final step in the process. The regulation can be found in the current edition under State Board of Education at www.pabulletin.com.

The 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.

The state plans to ask the federal government to permit the first three exams to be used to satisfy the No Child Left Behind Act, beginning in 2012-13, thus enabling the state to discontinue the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment exams in 11th grade.

School districts would be required to count the exams for at least one-third of a student's final grade or districts could use other options, including validated local assessments or Advanced Placement exams instead. Districts also could set up a project for students who failed exams. Some other exceptions also are available.

First Published: January 13, 2010, 5:00 a.m.