Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 6
Reading

50% (2011)

75% (2010)

47% (2009)

36% (2008)

42% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 70% in 2011.
Math

48% (2011)

83% (2010)

73% (2009)

15% (2008)

52% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 7
Reading

68% (2011)

63% (2010)

40% (2009)

55% (2008)

42% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 76% in 2011.
Math

82% (2011)

80% (2010)

53% (2009)

64% (2008)

42% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 8
Reading

70% (2011)

58% (2010)

70% (2009)

54% (2008)

65% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.
Science

37% (2011)

33% (2010)

45% (2009)
The state average for Science was 58% in 2011.
Writing

79% (2011)

66% (2010)

78% (2009)

58% (2008)

55% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 73% in 2011.
Math

77% (2011)

67% (2010)

76% (2009)

38% (2008)

52% (2007)
The state average for Math was 77% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 11
Reading

56% (2011)

67% (2010)

40% (2009)

60% (2008)

50% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 69% in 2011.
Science

42% (2011)

40% (2010)

15% (2009)
The state average for Science was 41% in 2011.
Writing

72% (2011)

81% (2010)

72% (2009)

84% (2008)

97% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 85% in 2011.
Math

48% (2011)

67% (2010)

43% (2009)

56% (2008)

40% (2007)
The state average for Math was 60% 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