Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 3
Reading

42% (2011)

50% (2010)

26% (2009)

29% (2008)

30% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 77% in 2011.
Math

44% (2011)

58% (2010)

15% (2009)

35% (2008)

38% (2007)
The state average for Math was 84% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 4
Reading

17% (2011)

11% (2010)

28% (2009)

27% (2008)

27% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 73% in 2011.
Science

25% (2011)

19% (2010)

37% (2009)
The state average for Science was 83% in 2011.
Math

37% (2011)

24% (2010)

41% (2009)

53% (2008)

38% (2007)
The state average for Math was 85% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 5
Reading

32% (2011)

11% (2010)

21% (2009)

9% (2008)

10% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 67% in 2011.
Writing

37% (2011)

11% (2010)

16% (2009)

19% (2008)

13% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 67% in 2011.
Math

27% (2011)

30% (2010)

25% (2009)

22% (2008)

12% (2007)
The state average for Math was 76% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 6
Reading

21% (2011)

24% (2010)

14% (2009)

23% (2008)

15% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 70% in 2011.
Math

41% (2011)

41% (2010)

19% (2009)

26% (2008)

17% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 7
Reading

54% (2011)

28% (2010)

20% (2009)

21% (2008)

24% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 76% in 2011.
Math

48% (2011)

26% (2010)

15% (2009)

21% (2008)

9% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 8
Reading

55% (2011)

34% (2010)

31% (2009)

39% (2008)

52% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.
Science

10% (2011)

7% (2010)

6% (2009)
The state average for Science was 58% in 2011.
Writing

37% (2011)

21% (2010)

24% (2009)

30% (2008)

36% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 73% in 2011.
Math

35% (2011)

19% (2010)

17% (2009)

18% (2008)

31% (2007)
The state average for Math was 77% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
About the Tests
- In 2010-2011 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 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