Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 3
Reading

44% (2011)

77% (2010)

58% (2009)

35% (2008)

18% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 77% in 2011.
Math

60% (2011)

73% (2010)

68% (2009)

40% (2008)

46% (2007)
The state average for Math was 84% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 4
Reading

60% (2011)

42% (2010)

17% (2009)

18% (2008)

30% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 73% in 2011.
Science

56% (2011)

54% (2010)

21% (2009)
The state average for Science was 83% in 2011.
Math

76% (2011)

75% (2010)

25% (2009)

45% (2008)

59% (2007)
The state average for Math was 85% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 5
Reading

57% (2011)

30% (2010)

39% (2009)

23% (2008)

15% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 67% in 2011.
Writing

52% (2011)

17% (2010)

44% (2009)

24% (2008)

19% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 67% in 2011.
Math

61% (2011)

40% (2010)

67% (2009)

41% (2008)

38% (2007)
The state average for Math was 76% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 6
Reading

29% (2011)

53% (2010)

17% (2009)

28% (2008)

13% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 70% in 2011.
Math

59% (2011)

71% (2010)

58% (2009)

80% (2008)

13% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 7
Reading

38% (2011)

74% (2010)

80% (2009)

50% (2008)

44% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 76% in 2011.
Math

91% (2011)

84% (2010)

88% (2009)

50% (2008)

47% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 8
Reading

78% (2011)

92% (2010)

81% (2009)

68% (2008)

27% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.
Science

10% (2011)

15% (2010)

25% (2009)
The state average for Science was 58% in 2011.
Writing

16% (2011)

19% (2010)

31% (2009)

43% (2008)

33% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 73% in 2011.
Math

80% (2011)

92% (2010)

56% (2009)

81% (2008)

39% (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