Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 5
Reading

71% (2011)

53% (2010)

54% (2009)

57% (2008)

53% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 67% in 2011.
Writing

83% (2011)

54% (2010)

41% (2009)

51% (2008)

64% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 67% in 2011.
Math

81% (2011)

66% (2010)

58% (2009)

58% (2008)

68% (2007)
The state average for Math was 76% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 6
Reading

72% (2011)

68% (2010)

79% (2009)

80% (2008)

69% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 70% in 2011.
Math

56% (2011)

66% (2010)

71% (2009)

61% (2008)

73% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 7
Reading

71% (2011)

79% (2010)

82% (2009)

77% (2008)

70% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 76% in 2011.
Math

56% (2011)

64% (2010)

68% (2009)

73% (2008)

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

82% (2011)

91% (2010)

85% (2009)

77% (2008)

74% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.
Science

60% (2011)

64% (2010)

61% (2009)
The state average for Science was 58% in 2011.
Writing

61% (2011)

83% (2010)

76% (2009)

75% (2008)

87% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 73% in 2011.
Math

63% (2011)

59% (2010)

71% (2009)

69% (2008)

80% (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