Rendell boasts of statewide test score gains

Pennsylvania students continued gains on statewide math and reading tests, Governor Rendell announced today.

Statewide, 82 percent of Pennsylvania's 3115 schools met state benchmarks, up from 78 percent last year.

This is "good news - really good news," Rendell said. "Public education can work; its working in Pennsylvania." he added. "These numbers are . . . Pennsylvania's future."

The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment - the PSSA - the state's No Child Left Behind accountability test - was given this spring to all students in third through eighth grades and to eleventh graders. District and school scores are being released today.

Rendell said that increased state education funding has played a role in students' success. "At a time when most states were drastically cutting their education budgets, Pennsylvania has kept increasing funds for education," he said. "We should keep it up - keep pushing, keep driving."