BVA student gets perfect score on Keystone biology test
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
A 16-year-old student from Belle Vernon Area School District was recognized by the school board and administrators last week for doing “exceptionally well” on a mandatory standardized test.
“Noah Lehner did something that I have never seen before,” BVA High School Principal Dr. Michael Sable said.
He went on to explain to the board that Noah scored “a perfect score” on the biology portion of the state Department of Education’s Keystone Exam.
The exams are end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in the subject areas of algebra I, algebra II, geometry, literature, English composition, biology, chemistry, U.S. history, world history and civics and government.
The Keystones are one component of Pennsylvania’s system of high school graduation requirements and are taken by students at various points throughout their middle and high school career.
Noah scored 1,800 — the highest possible “advanced” score. According to the Department of Education’s rubric, this means Noah demonstrates a thorough conceptual understanding of science content and the application of skills and processes related to biological concepts.
