Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 6
Reading

74% (2011)

63% (2010)

36% (2009)

26% (2008)

45% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 70% in 2011.
Math

92% (2011)

83% (2010)

36% (2009)

30% (2008)

67% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 7
Reading

64% (2011)

41% (2010)

33% (2009)

50% (2008)

49% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 76% in 2011.
Math

70% (2011)

33% (2010)

33% (2009)

48% (2008)

49% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 8
Reading

63% (2011)

61% (2010)

78% (2009)

43% (2008)

61% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.
Science

23% (2011)

21% (2010)

11% (2009)
The state average for Science was 58% in 2011.
Writing

75% (2011)

69% (2010)

73% (2009)

69% (2008)

83% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 73% in 2011.
Math

48% (2011)

30% (2010)

32% (2009)

25% (2008)

44% (2007)
The state average for Math was 77% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 11
Reading

33% (2011)

46% (2010)

36% (2009)

22% (2008)

35% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 69% in 2011.
Science

8% (2011)

11% (2010)

14% (2009)
The state average for Science was 41% in 2011.
Writing

95% (2011)

94% (2010)

62% (2009)

71% (2008)

73% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 85% in 2011.
Math

26% (2011)

34% (2010)

24% (2009)

22% (2008)

27% (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