Children And Education

Decreasing


Student Performance on Grade 3 English, 2022

What does this measure?

The percentage of students considered proficient or advanced on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) Grade 3 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?

Early literacy skills are critical to a successful school experience. Third grade is considered an important milestone in a student's career in terms of reading proficiency and is correlated to whether a student will graduate high school. 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 does our county compare?

In 2022, 55% of students in Lancaster County and 32% of Lancaster City School District students scored as proficient or advanced on the PSSA Grade 3 English Language Arts exam, down from 60% in the County and 33% in the District in 2021.

In contrast, 39% of historically underperforming students in Lancaster County and 27% of historically underperforming students in the Lancaster City School District passed the exam, down from 42% in the County and 30% in the District in 2021. Lancaster County's 2022 rates for all students and historically underperforming students was above the statewide rates of 52% and 35% respectively.

Compared with surrounding counties, Lancaster County has the third highest proficiency rate among all students, following Chester (65%) and Cumberland (62%), and the second highest performance rate among historically underperforming students, following Cumberland County at 42%.

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.

The Spring 2020 PSSA was cancelled in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 2021 PSSA results were delayed. 2021 results may not reflect representative samples of the schools' students. Cross-year comparisons of proficiency are likely to be inaccurate for this reason.

Student Performance on Grade 3 English, 2022
All StudentsHistorically Underperforming
Pennsylvania52%35%
Lancaster County55%39%
Dauphin County44%28%
Berks County45%30%
Chester County65%37%
Cumberland County62%42%
York County54%36%
Lebanon County50%33%

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education




Number of Students Passing Grade 3 English, 2022
All StudentsHistorically Underperforming
Pennsylvania59,94522,767
Lancaster County2,421931
Dauphin County1,150467
Berks County1,908780
Chester County3,512732
Cumberland County1,380394
York County2,527873
Lebanon County662237

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education




INDICATORS TREND


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