Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 3
Reading

81% (2011)

85% (2010)

90% (2009)

81% (2008)

74% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 77% in 2011.
Math

84% (2011)

92% (2010)

94% (2009)

85% (2008)

85% (2007)
The state average for Math was 84% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 4
Reading

68% (2011)

82% (2010)

71% (2009)

57% (2008)

70% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 73% in 2011.
Science

91% (2011)

99% (2010)

82% (2009)
The state average for Science was 83% in 2011.
Math

89% (2011)

98% (2010)

82% (2009)

79% (2008)

76% (2007)
The state average for Math was 85% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 5
Reading

79% (2011)

58% (2010)

67% (2009)

72% (2008)

48% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 67% in 2011.
Writing

71% (2011)

75% (2010)

51% (2009)

67% (2008)

47% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 67% in 2011.
Math

82% (2011)

77% (2010)

80% (2009)

76% (2008)

64% (2007)
The state average for Math was 76% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 6
Reading

75% (2011)

65% (2010)

67% (2009)

59% (2008)

64% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 70% in 2011.
Math

87% (2011)

87% (2010)

85% (2009)

57% (2008)

67% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 7
Reading

72% (2011)

85% (2010)

76% (2009)

56% (2008)

66% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 76% in 2011.
Math

83% (2011)

88% (2010)

65% (2009)

53% (2008)

60% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 8
Reading

85% (2011)

83% (2010)

67% (2009)

79% (2008)

70% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.
Science

63% (2011)

61% (2010)

52% (2009)
The state average for Science was 58% in 2011.
Writing

86% (2011)

93% (2010)

79% (2009)

90% (2008)

83% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 73% in 2011.
Math

80% (2011)

67% (2010)

54% (2009)

58% (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