Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 7
Reading

81% (2011)

81% (2010)

79% (2009)

74% (2008)

74% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 76% in 2011.
Math

72% (2011)

81% (2010)

81% (2009)

68% (2008)

67% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 8
Reading

88% (2011)

88% (2010)

85% (2009)

83% (2008)

78% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.
Science

53% (2011)

64% (2010)

49% (2009)
The state average for Science was 58% in 2011.
Writing

77% (2011)

86% (2010)

71% (2009)

82% (2008)

86% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 73% in 2011.
Math

74% (2011)

73% (2010)

74% (2009)

73% (2008)

65% (2007)
The state average for Math was 77% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 11
Reading

80% (2011)

77% (2010)

64% (2009)

67% (2008)

75% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 69% in 2011.
Science

52% (2011)

40% (2010)

40% (2009)
The state average for Science was 41% in 2011.
Writing

90% (2011)

85% (2010)

91% (2009)

87% (2008)

92% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 85% in 2011.
Math

56% (2011)

62% (2010)

57% (2009)

55% (2008)

55% (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