Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 3
Reading

83% (2011)

77% (2010)

81% (2009)

80% (2008)

73% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 77% in 2011.
Math

89% (2011)

95% (2010)

90% (2009)

88% (2008)

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

71% (2011)

73% (2010)

75% (2009)

72% (2008)

69% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 73% in 2011.
Science

86% (2011)

83% (2010)

87% (2009)
The state average for Science was 83% in 2011.
Math

91% (2011)

85% (2010)

88% (2009)

86% (2008)

89% (2007)
The state average for Math was 85% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 5
Reading

55% (2011)

65% (2010)

57% (2009)

68% (2008)

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

77% (2011)

71% (2010)

73% (2009)

73% (2008)

71% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 67% in 2011.
Math

86% (2011)

88% (2010)

88% (2009)

90% (2008)

77% (2007)
The state average for Math was 76% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 6
Reading

67% (2011)

63% (2010)

62% (2009)

73% (2008)

67% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 70% in 2011.
Math

83% (2011)

87% (2010)

84% (2009)

87% (2008)

83% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 7
Reading

77% (2011)

58% (2010)

79% (2009)

63% (2008)

77% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 76% in 2011.
Math

74% (2011)

69% (2010)

76% (2009)

55% (2008)

73% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 8
Reading

75% (2011)

88% (2010)

78% (2009)

87% (2008)

71% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.
Science

58% (2011)

46% (2010)

33% (2009)
The state average for Science was 58% in 2011.
Writing

76% (2011)

67% (2010)

58% (2009)

79% (2008)

67% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 73% in 2011.
Math

69% (2011)

65% (2010)

58% (2009)

71% (2008)

53% (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