Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 5
Reading

91% (2011)

86% (2010)

90% (2009)

79% (2008)

85% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 67% in 2011.
Writing

95% (2011)

82% (2010)

88% (2009)

83% (2008)

82% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 67% in 2011.
Math

96% (2011)

96% (2010)

97% (2009)

91% (2008)

93% (2007)
The state average for Math was 76% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 6
Reading

91% (2011)

90% (2010)

81% (2009)

90% (2008)

87% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 70% in 2011.
Math

100% (2011)

97% (2010)

94% (2009)

92% (2008)

96% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 7
Reading

98% (2011)

91% (2010)

91% (2009)

93% (2008)

93% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 76% in 2011.
Math

97% (2011)

100% (2010)

94% (2009)

94% (2008)

95% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 8
Reading

99% (2011)

94% (2010)

93% (2009)

93% (2008)

95% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.
Science

87% (2011)

76% (2010)

75% (2009)
The state average for Science was 58% in 2011.
Writing

94% (2011)

91% (2010)

91% (2009)

96% (2008)

97% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 73% in 2011.
Math

97% (2011)

95% (2010)

91% (2009)

92% (2008)

92% (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