Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 3
Reading

86% (2011)

73% (2010)

79% (2009)

62% (2008)

79% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 77% in 2011.
Math

89% (2011)

83% (2010)

84% (2009)

78% (2008)

91% (2007)
The state average for Math was 84% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 4
Reading

59% (2011)

71% (2010)

67% (2009)

56% (2008)

61% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 73% in 2011.
Science

89% (2011)

91% (2010)

93% (2009)
The state average for Science was 83% in 2011.
Math

85% (2011)

81% (2010)

77% (2009)

74% (2008)

77% (2007)
The state average for Math was 85% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 5
Reading

76% (2011)

72% (2010)

78% (2009)

72% (2008)

61% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 67% in 2011.
Writing

77% (2011)

83% (2010)

80% (2009)

53% (2008)

56% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 67% in 2011.
Math

83% (2011)

74% (2010)

77% (2009)

67% (2008)

66% (2007)
The state average for Math was 76% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 6
Reading

72% (2011)

77% (2010)

63% (2009)

65% (2008)

62% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 70% in 2011.
Math

82% (2011)

85% (2010)

74% (2009)

72% (2008)

78% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 7
Reading

74% (2011)

63% (2010)

62% (2009)

69% (2008)

49% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 76% in 2011.
Math

79% (2011)

74% (2010)

72% (2009)

80% (2008)

53% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 8
Reading

68% (2011)

69% (2010)

71% (2009)

68% (2008)

58% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.
Science

32% (2011)

24% (2010)

34% (2009)
The state average for Science was 58% in 2011.
Writing

38% (2011)

48% (2010)

42% (2009)

43% (2008)

66% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 73% in 2011.
Math

69% (2011)

62% (2010)

76% (2009)

53% (2008)

42% (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