Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 7
Reading

74% (2011)

72% (2010)

59% (2009)

58% (2008)

44% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 76% in 2011.
Math

68% (2011)

70% (2010)

52% (2009)

54% (2008)

53% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 8
Reading

82% (2011)

65% (2010)

69% (2009)

74% (2008)

62% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.
Science

62% (2011)

43% (2010)

51% (2009)
The state average for Science was 58% in 2011.
Writing

73% (2011)

52% (2010)

67% (2009)

67% (2008)

66% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 73% in 2011.
Math

66% (2011)

38% (2010)

49% (2009)

48% (2008)

39% (2007)
The state average for Math was 77% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 11
Reading

51% (2011)

50% (2010)

58% (2009)

61% (2008)

48% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 69% in 2011.
Science

16% (2011)

17% (2010)

22% (2009)
The state average for Science was 41% in 2011.
Writing

78% (2011)

65% (2010)

91% (2009)

82% (2008)

84% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 85% in 2011.
Math

33% (2011)

38% (2010)

55% (2009)

45% (2008)

38% (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