Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 7
Reading

85% (2011)

80% (2010)

64% (2009)

77% (2008)

85% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 76% in 2011.
Math

81% (2011)

79% (2010)

79% (2009)

73% (2008)

72% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 8
Reading

86% (2011)

87% (2010)

87% (2009)

85% (2008)

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

70% (2011)

62% (2010)

65% (2009)
The state average for Science was 58% in 2011.
Writing

83% (2011)

79% (2010)

72% (2009)

71% (2008)

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

75% (2011)

70% (2010)

63% (2009)

61% (2008)

65% (2007)
The state average for Math was 77% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 11
Reading

79% (2011)

72% (2010)

81% (2009)

81% (2008)

76% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 69% in 2011.
Science

55% (2011)

38% (2010)

43% (2009)
The state average for Science was 41% in 2011.
Writing

92% (2011)

82% (2010)

96% (2009)

89% (2008)

94% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 85% in 2011.
Math

67% (2011)

41% (2010)

60% (2009)

55% (2008)

57% (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