Pennsylvania: Comparing schools and districts based on student proficiency
The information below reflects the most recent data available to us; please contact us with questions or to request additional analyses.
Analysis: Comparing schools and districts on third grade proficiency in reading and math
The charts linked below allow you to compare schools and districts in Pennsylvania with their peers. The Y (vertical) axis shows the percentage of proficient 3rd graders in a subject; the X (horizontal) axis shows the percentage of students who qualify for the free or reduced rate lunch program, a common indicator of poverty in schools.
Available charts:
- Poverty versus 3rd grade reading proficiency (2023)
- Poverty versus 3rd grade reading proficiency (2022)
- Poverty versus 3rd grade reading proficiency (2019)
- Poverty versus 3rd grade reading proficiency (2018)
- Poverty versus 3rd grade reading proficiency (2017)
- Poverty versus 3rd grade reading proficiency (2016)
- Poverty versus 3rd grade reading proficiency (2013)
- Poverty versus elementary-grades reading proficiency (2011)
- Percentage of non-minority students versus elementary-grades reading proficiency (2011)
Note: Pennsylvania 2011 proficiency scores are for the entire school, not just the 3rd grade. Charters were re-coded to be included in their home districts.
Note: In a small number of schools, 2015 F/RL data was substituted if 2016 data was not available.
Comparing Pennsylvania’s Proficiency Standards to the National “Gold Standard” (NAEP)
Each state defines for itself what “proficient” means; some states have a rigorous definition, while others are less strict in their standards. To see how states compare, ECF has published charts showing the percentage of students deemed proficient in various subjects and grade levels and compared them to percentages reported for each state by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP, or “The Nation’s Report Card”), considered to be the gold standard.