Test scores

What is PSSA + Keystone?

PSSA + Keystone is the statewide standardized test administered by Pennsylvania public schools.

What does "% Proficient or Advanced" mean?

It is the share of students at the school who performed at grade level or above on the test, summed across the top two of four performance levels. A higher number is better.

How should I read a single score?

Each percent represents the share of tested students who performed at grade level or above. Compare the school number against the state, district, and county averages on this page to see whether it is above or below typical.

How is the state average calculated?

It is a weighted average, not a simple average of each school's number. We multiply each public school's score by how many of its students tested, add those together for all schools in Pennsylvania, and divide by the total students tested that year. This way a big school with 1,500 students counts more than a small school with 50 students, which is the right way to ask "how did the typical student do this year?". District and county averages on this page use the same method, just scoped to that district or county.

Where does this data come from?

Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) for grades 3-8 and Keystone Exams (Literature, Algebra I, Biology) at the high-school level. School-level All Students subgroup, "Percent Proficient and above" column from the PDE school-level data downloads. Top 2 of 4 PA performance levels (Proficient + Advanced).

How often is it updated?

PSSA + Keystone is administered once a year (spring). Results are released by the state in the summer or early fall. We refresh this page after each annual release.