Scale: % at or above proficient
Grade 3
Reading

76% (2011)

61% (2010)

88% (2009)

82% (2008)

100% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 77% in 2011.
Math

78% (2011)

68% (2010)

96% (2009)

78% (2008)

91% (2007)
The state average for Math was 84% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 4
Reading

66% (2011)

76% (2010)

100% (2009)

84% (2008)

85% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 73% in 2011.
Science

65% (2011)

72% (2010)

100% (2009)
The state average for Science was 83% in 2011.
Math

78% (2011)

79% (2010)

100% (2009)

92% (2008)

97% (2007)
The state average for Math was 85% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 5
Reading

45% (2011)

44% (2010)

57% (2009)

76% (2008)

76% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 67% in 2011.
Writing

26% (2011)

26% (2010)

10% (2009)

7% (2008)

64% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 67% in 2011.
Math

65% (2011)

45% (2010)

81% (2009)

81% (2008)

100% (2007)
The state average for Math was 76% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 6
Reading

41% (2011)

41% (2010)

69% (2009)

77% (2008)

61% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 70% in 2011.
Math

54% (2011)

57% (2010)

83% (2009)

100% (2008)

87% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 7
Reading

54% (2011)

53% (2010)

68% (2009)

83% (2008)

72% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 76% in 2011.
Math

59% (2011)

73% (2010)

79% (2009)

78% (2008)

90% (2007)
The state average for Math was 79% in 2011.
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2010-2011
Grade 8
Reading

73% (2011)

74% (2010)

93% (2009)

87% (2008)

79% (2007)
The state average for Reading was 82% in 2011.
Science

26% (2011)

19% (2010)

43% (2009)
The state average for Science was 58% in 2011.
Writing

20% (2011)

48% (2010)

50% (2009)

53% (2008)

54% (2007)
The state average for Writing was 73% in 2011.
Math

70% (2011)

70% (2010)

76% (2009)

70% (2008)

66% (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