Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 3
Reading

40% (2011)

45% (2010)

39% (2009)

61% (2008)

48% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 77% in 2011.
Math

41% (2011)

64% (2010)

53% (2009)

70% (2008)

70% (2007)
The state average for Math was 84% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 4
Reading

49% (2011)

41% (2010)

45% (2009)

37% (2008)

47% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 73% in 2011.
Science

51% (2011)

50% (2010)

42% (2009)
The state average for Science was 83% in 2011.
Math

64% (2011)

69% (2010)

68% (2009)

41% (2008)

55% (2007)
The state average for Math was 85% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 5
Reading

21% (2011)

22% (2010)

23% (2009)

29% (2008)

38% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 67% in 2011.
Writing

61% (2011)

47% (2010)

23% (2009)

28% (2008)

25% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 67% in 2011.
Math

29% (2011)

31% (2010)

32% (2009)

42% (2008)

52% (2007)
The state average for Math was 76% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 6
Reading

23% (2011)

37% (2010)

23% (2009)

31% (2008)

20% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 70% in 2011.
Math

40% (2011)

79% (2010)

50% (2009)

56% (2008)

38% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 7
Reading

43% (2011)

50% (2010)

31% (2009)

47% (2008)

41% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 76% in 2011.
Math

68% (2011)

66% (2010)

45% (2009)

53% (2008)

32% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 8
Reading

46% (2011)

68% (2010)

65% (2009)

53% (2008)

35% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.
Science

3% (2011)

24% (2010)

23% (2009)
The state average for Science was 58% in 2011.
Writing

50% (2011)

68% (2010)

56% (2009)

58% (2008)

78% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 73% in 2011.
Math

67% (2011)

83% (2010)

76% (2009)

47% (2008)

41% (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