Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 3
Reading

39% (2011)

27% (2010)

45% (2009)

45% (2008)

40% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 77% in 2011.
Math

68% (2011)

52% (2010)

45% (2009)

59% (2008)

60% (2007)
The state average for Math was 84% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 4
Reading

59% (2011)

37% (2010)

43% (2009)

26% (2008)

44% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 73% in 2011.
Science

56% (2011)

40% (2010)

55% (2009)
The state average for Science was 83% in 2011.
Math

58% (2011)

45% (2010)

49% (2009)

26% (2008)

48% (2007)
The state average for Math was 85% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 5
Reading

48% (2011)

56% (2010)

21% (2009)

28% (2008)

22% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 67% in 2011.
Writing

16% (2011)

43% (2010)

6% (2009)

50% (2008)

51% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 67% in 2011.
Math

65% (2011)

70% (2010)

58% (2009)

83% (2008)

44% (2007)
The state average for Math was 76% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 6
Reading

61% (2011)

35% (2010)

33% (2009)

23% (2008)

29% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 70% in 2011.
Math

96% (2011)

45% (2010)

67% (2009)

42% (2008)

47% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% 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