Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 5
Reading

50% (2011)

57% (2010)

51% (2009)

46% (2008)

55% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 67% in 2011.
Writing

47% (2011)

40% (2010)

22% (2009)

22% (2008)

34% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 67% in 2011.
Math

71% (2011)

69% (2010)

72% (2009)

66% (2008)

73% (2007)
The state average for Math was 76% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 6
Reading

55% (2011)

68% (2010)

56% (2009)

62% (2008)

58% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 70% in 2011.
Math

69% (2011)

78% (2010)

75% (2009)

76% (2008)

66% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 7
Reading

68% (2011)

65% (2010)

64% (2009)

61% (2008)

59% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 76% in 2011.
Math

78% (2011)

76% (2010)

78% (2009)

68% (2008)

69% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 8
Reading

73% (2011)

80% (2010)

74% (2009)

71% (2008)

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

33% (2011)

42% (2010)

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

43% (2011)

60% (2010)

40% (2009)

44% (2008)

47% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 73% in 2011.
Math

73% (2011)

86% (2010)

72% (2009)

67% (2008)

68% (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