What does this measure?

The percentage of students considered proficient or advanced on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) Grade 8 English Language Arts exam, reported for both the total student population and those students defined as "historically underperforming." Pennsylvania defines historically underperforming groups as students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students, and English language learners.

Why is this important?

The middle school reading examination serves as a checkpoint for high school preparation. Performance on this exam can help predict high school success in reading. Proficiency among historically underperforming students can show whether districts and education policymakers have made progress in closing the achievement gap between traditionally underserved groups and other students.

How is our county performing?

In 2018, 56% students in Berks County passed the PSSA Grade 8 English Language Arts exam, almost the same as in 2017. In contrast, 35% of historically underperforming students in Berks County passed the exam, up slightly from 34% in 2017 and 33% in 2016. Berks County's 2018 rates for both historically underperforming students and all students were below the statewide rates of 43% and 62% respectively.

Among local school districts, Schuylkill Valley had highest 2018 proficiency rates for all students as a whole at 77%. Wilson had the highest proficiency rates, for historically underperforming at 54% (though historically underperforming students made up 63% of test takers). Reading had the lowest proficiency rates, at 20% for both historically underperforming students and all students (historically underperforming students made up 97% of test takers).

For both all students and historically underperforming students, Berks County's proficiency rate was the lowest among comparison counties, lower than Lebanon County (59% and 39%),Lehigh (62% and 42%), Schuylkill (58% and 42%), Lancaster (65% and 45%), Chester (71% and 43%) and Montgomery (76% and 53%). Berks' share of historically underperforming students in eighth grade is equal to Lehigh and higher than all other comparison counties which range from 37% (Montgomery) to 49% (Lancaster) of test takers.

Notes about the data

As assessments vary among states, it is not possible to include comparable data for the nation or other areas in this indicator. Data are from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

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