Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 3
Reading

74% (2011)

41% (2010)

61% (2009)

46% (2008)

64% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 77% in 2011.
Math

94% (2011)

69% (2010)

72% (2009)

60% (2008)

73% (2007)
The state average for Math was 84% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 4
Reading

64% (2011)

53% (2010)

50% (2009)

58% (2008)

41% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 73% in 2011.
Science

56% (2011)

60% (2010)

57% (2009)
The state average for Science was 83% in 2011.
Math

81% (2011)

82% (2010)

71% (2009)

75% (2008)

62% (2007)
The state average for Math was 85% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 5
Reading

72% (2011)

68% (2010)

44% (2009)

30% (2008)

22% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 67% in 2011.
Writing

44% (2011)

23% (2010)

26% (2009)

25% (2008)

12% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 67% in 2011.
Math

84% (2011)

71% (2010)

81% (2009)

30% (2008)

30% (2007)
The state average for Math was 76% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 6
Reading

58% (2011)

62% (2010)

30% (2009)

21% (2008)

29% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 70% in 2011.
Math

76% (2011)

82% (2010)

52% (2009)

25% (2008)

38% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 7
Reading

81% (2011)

58% (2010)

28% (2009)

50% (2008)

40% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 76% in 2011.
Math

95% (2011)

65% (2010)

32% (2009)

32% (2008)

40% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 8
Reading

57% (2011)

53% (2010)

54% (2009)

44% (2008)

66% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.
Science

43% (2011)

37% (2010)

19% (2009)
The state average for Science was 58% in 2011.
Writing

64% (2011)

32% (2010)

19% (2009)

64% (2008)

45% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 73% in 2011.
Math

64% (2011)

47% (2010)

42% (2009)

47% (2008)

38% (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