Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 3
Reading

69% (2009)

54% (2008)

36% (2007)

35% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 77% in 2009.
Math

69% (2009)

53% (2008)

56% (2007)

40% (2006)
The state average for Math was 82% in 2009.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 4
Reading

56% (2009)

37% (2008)

25% (2007)

51% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 73% in 2009.
Science

54% (2009)
The state average for Science was 83% in 2009.
Math

56% (2009)

41% (2008)

30% (2007)

64% (2006)
The state average for Math was 82% in 2009.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 5
Reading

11% (2009)

5% (2008)

14% (2007)

18% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 65% in 2009.
Writing

21% (2009)

26% (2008)

40% (2007)

49% (2006)
The state average for Writing was 58% in 2009.
Math

23% (2009)

5% (2008)

12% (2007)

24% (2006)
The state average for Math was 74% in 2009.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 6
Reading

14% (2009)

19% (2008)

27% (2007)

8% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 68% in 2009.
Math

38% (2009)

15% (2008)

21% (2007)

18% (2006)
The state average for Math was 76% in 2009.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 7
Reading

26% (2009)

17% (2008)

7% (2007)

31% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 71% in 2009.
Math

32% (2009)

17% (2008)

11% (2007)

33% (2006)
The state average for Math was 75% in 2009.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 8
Reading

32% (2009)

40% (2008)

30% (2007)

23% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 81% in 2009.
Science

4% (2009)
The state average for Science was 55% in 2009.
Writing

31% (2009)

26% (2008)

19% (2007)

27% (2006)
The state average for Writing was 71% in 2009.
Math

16% (2009)

15% (2008)

27% (2007)

20% (2006)
The state average for Math was 71% in 2009.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
About the Tests
- In 2008-2009 Pennsylvania used the Pennsylvania System of State Assessments (PSSA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in math and reading, in grades 5, 8 and 11 in writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 11 in science.
- The results for reading, writing, science and math are displayed on GreatSchools profiles.
- The scores reflect the performance of students enrolled for the full academic year.
- The PSSA is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Pennsylvania.
- The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.
Testing in Pennsylvania: An Overview
See Pennsylvania's state standards
Compare with test results from nearby schools