Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 6
Reading

51% (2011)

39% (2010)

58% (2009)

46% (2008)

52% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 70% in 2011.
Math

67% (2011)

42% (2010)

58% (2009)

57% (2008)

63% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 7
Reading

58% (2011)

57% (2010)

41% (2009)

43% (2008)

50% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 76% in 2011.
Math

66% (2011)

64% (2010)

57% (2009)

59% (2008)

66% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 8
Reading

80% (2011)

52% (2010)

64% (2009)

72% (2008)

57% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.
Science

55% (2011)

31% (2010)

43% (2009)
The state average for Science was 58% in 2011.
Writing

80% (2011)

57% (2010)

49% (2009)

70% (2008)

53% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 73% in 2011.
Math

77% (2011)

52% (2010)

60% (2009)

57% (2008)

55% (2007)
The state average for Math was 77% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 11
Reading

76% (2011)

53% (2010)

57% (2009)

75% (2008)

58% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 69% in 2011.
Science

39% (2011)

28% (2010)

35% (2009)
The state average for Science was 41% in 2011.
Writing

94% (2011)

76% (2010)

78% (2009)

90% (2008)

80% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 85% in 2011.
Math

41% (2011)

40% (2010)

48% (2009)

47% (2008)

36% (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