Good News About Pennsylvania Public Schools

Classroom photo Pennsylvania public schools are among the best in the nation, according to many objective measures and research from respected institutions. Student achievement is continuously improving, thanks to the efforts of teachers and education support professionals who work with our children every day.

Many Pennsylvania taxpayers may not realize what a good return they get on their investment in public schools. The facts and figures below prove that taxpayers are making a wise investment in public schools.

While recent research demonstrates much success, it is always important to understand exactly what each test is designed to measure and how the information gathered can be utilized as part of a total picture. Knowledge of what each test strives to measure and how the results are intended to be utilized allows everyone to make honest interpretations and wisely utilize the knowledge of both results and implications. This report provides information on accomplishments of note and shares research information so necessary to fully understand the results and their meaning.

Here are just a few of the good news facts and successes that help demonstrate the remarkable ability of Pennsylvania’s public schools to provide students with high quality education.

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Indicators of Success

Pennsylvania’s reading scores are among the nation's best:

Only 4 states have statistically significant higher 4th grade reading scores than PA.
Only 7 states have statistically significant higher 8th grade reading scores than PA.

Pennsylvania’s math scores are among the nation's best:

Only 3 states have statistically significant higher 4th grade math scores than PA.
Only 11 states have statistically significant higher 8th grade math scores than PA.

Researchers from The American Institutes for Research (AIR) performed a study that statistically linked state performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 8th grade mathematics and science tests with international performance on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 8th grade mathematics and science tests.

The AIR researchers found that Pennsylvania’s NAEP performance projected on the TIMSS scale would rank it above the U.S. TIMSS average and the averages of 36 of the 48 countries in math. It ranked below only that of five Asian jurisdictions (Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, Chinese Taipei, and Japan). (Pennsylvania did not participate in the TIMSS Science tests.)

Reading scores are up:

The proportion of Pennsylvania public school 4th graders who scored at the highest two levels in reading in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has increased by 24 percent since 2003.
The proportion of Pennsylvania public school 8th graders who scored at the highest two levels in reading in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has increased by 19 percent since 2003.

Math scores are up:

The proportion of Pennsylvania public school 4th graders who scored at the highest two levels in mathematics in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has increased by 33 percent since 2003.
The proportion of Pennsylvania public school 8th graders who scored at the highest two levels in mathematics in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has increased by 30 percent since 2003.

According to a study by the Brookings Institution, the performance of Pennsylvania students on math and reading NAEP tests in both 4th and 8th grade places the state among the nation’s top ten performance gainers, in both the short term (since 2003), and in the long term (since 1992).

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is the most appropriate test for use in comparing performance among states. In 1988, Congress created the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) to devise procedures for interstate comparisons of test scores. For example, unlike Student Achievement Test (SAT) data, NAEP procedures require a scientifically valid sampling plan whereby 100 schools are randomly selected to represent all public schools in the state.

While the NAEP tests are a valid manner in which to compare relative academic performance by students in different states, it is important to remember that states still differ in the characteristics of their populations. Some states have many more students from urban areas, those who have lower socio-economic status, and lower levels of parental education than do other states. So while we can use the NAEP tests as an accurate barometer of student performance, the question remains as to what meaning to give to any observed differences between the states.

Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) Indicators of Success

PSSA reading scores are up:

The proportion of Pennsylvania public school 5th graders who are proficient or higher in reading in the state assessment test (PSSA) has increased by 14 percent since 2002.
- In 2002, 57 percent were proficient or advanced. In 2012, 65 percent were proficient or advanced.
The proportion of Pennsylvania public school 8th graders who are proficient or higher in reading in the state assessment test (PSSA) has increased by 36 percent since 2002.
- In 2002, 59 percent were proficient or advanced. In 2012, 80 percent were proficient or advanced.
The proportion of Pennsylvania public school 11th graders who are proficient or higher in reading in the state assessment test (PSSA) has increased by 15 percent since 2002.
- In 2002, 59 percent were proficient or advanced. In 2012, 68 percent were proficient or advanced.

PSSA math scores are up:

The proportion of Pennsylvania public school 5th graders who are proficient or higher in math in the state proficiency test (PSSA) has increased by 38 percent since 2002.
- In 2002, 53 percent were proficient or advanced. In 2012, 73.2 percent were proficient or advanced.
The proportion of Pennsylvania public school 8th graders who are proficient or higher in math in the state proficiency test (PSSA) has increased by 48 percent since 2002.
- In 2002, 52 percent were proficient or advanced. In 2012, 77 percent were proficient or advanced.
The proportion of Pennsylvania public school 11th graders who are proficient or higher in math in the state proficiency test (PSSA) has increased by 21 percent since 2002.
- In 2002, 50 percent were proficient or advanced. In 2012, 60 percent were proficient or advanced.

The PSSA indicators make repeated references to the categories of “Proficient” and “Advanced.” Like the identically-named NAEP performance categories, the PSSA performance levels must also be interpreted with caution. The cut scores for these performance levels have not been externally validated. Such evidence that exists suggests that many students who score below proficient still are able to enroll in non-remedial college courses in the same subject area.

Other Performance Indicators

Among the best Advanced Placement (AP) scores in the nation: Pennsylvania has a high percentage of public high school students who score high enough on AP exams to qualify for college credit when taking the exam, ranking 15th in the nation.

Pennsylvania is a national leader in “AP Honor Roll” school districts, with 28 districts receiving this distinguished designation. AP Honor Roll districts have expanded the percentage of students taking college level AP exams, while increasing or maintaining the percentage of students whose scores can earn them college credit.

More students participating in AP Courses: The number of Pennsylvania public high school students taking and testing in an Advanced Placement course has increased 70 percent over the past ten years.

More high school graduates than ever before are planning to continue their education: More than seven out of 10 Pennsylvania high school graduates plan to continue their education after high school - the highest number ever.

Among the best in the nation of students performing in college: Pennsylvania ranks 7th in the nation in the percentage of full-time college students who complete their bachelor’s degree.

Student Achievement Tests (SATs): Pennsylvania ranks 10th in the proportion of students who take the SAT, and 40th on the average SAT scores. Inasmuch as Pennsylvania has one of the highest proportions of students taking the SATs, an overall lower ranking among states is not unexpected.

In 2011, across all states there was a strong inverse relationship between participation rates and SAT scores, i.e., the greater the percentage taking the test, the lower the score. The SAT is an inappropriate measure to compare states.
The College Board, the organization that sponsors the SATs, says it is invalid to use the SAT to compare states.
Statisticians from Education Testing Service (ETS), the organization that produces the SATs, have written extensively about why the SAT is an invalid measure for ranking states that cannot be statistically rehabilitated.

Both the SAT and the NAEP tests are produced by Education Testing Services (ETS). ETS specifically warns against using the SAT to compare states and has developed the NAEP tests expressly for the purpose of comparing states.