Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 3
Reading

70% (2009)

70% (2008)

72% (2007)

64% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 77% in 2009.
Math

70% (2009)

67% (2008)

74% (2007)

72% (2006)
The state average for Math was 82% in 2009.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 4
Reading

67% (2009)

42% (2008)

61% (2007)

45% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 73% in 2009.
Science

71% (2009)
The state average for Science was 83% in 2009.
Math

84% (2009)

64% (2008)

62% (2007)

60% (2006)
The state average for Math was 82% in 2009.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 5
Reading

41% (2009)

65% (2008)

38% (2007)

44% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 65% in 2009.
Writing

47% (2009)

80% (2008)

26% (2007)

19% (2006)
The state average for Writing was 58% in 2009.
Math

50% (2009)

73% (2008)

59% (2007)

63% (2006)
The state average for Math was 74% in 2009.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 6
Reading

57% (2009)

41% (2008)

40% (2007)

44% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 68% in 2009.
Math

58% (2009)

74% (2008)

57% (2007)

40% (2006)
The state average for Math was 76% in 2009.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 7
Reading

67% (2009)

62% (2008)

67% (2007)

63% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 71% in 2009.
Math

92% (2009)

70% (2008)

65% (2007)

67% (2006)
The state average for Math was 75% in 2009.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
Grade 8
Reading

75% (2009)

70% (2008)

68% (2007)

64% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 81% in 2009.
Science

32% (2009)
The state average for Science was 55% in 2009.
Writing

76% (2009)

77% (2008)

85% (2007)

74% (2006)
The state average for Writing was 71% in 2009.
Math

73% (2009)

67% (2008)

60% (2007)

56% (2006)
The state average for Math was 71% in 2009.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2008-2009
About the Tests
- In 2008-2009 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 scores reflect the performance of students enrolled for the full academic year.
- 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
Compare with test results from nearby schools