Easton students performed better than the statewide average on the PSSA tests in the 2011-2012 school year, according to test results released last week.

However, the district still missed a key state benchmark last year, with only four of its schools making AYP, or adequate yearly progress, the minimum level of improvement schools need to reach.

Here's how students performed statewide, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education:

• In math, 75.7 percent performed at-or-above grade.
• In reading, 71.9 percent performed at-or-above grade level. 
• In writing, 73.2 percent performed at-or-above grade level.
• In science, 61.4 percent performed at-or-above grade level. 

Students in Easton did better in every category: 

• In math, 82.2 percent performed at-or-above grade level.
• In reading, 73.8 percent performed at-or-above grade level.
• In writing, 81.7 percent performed at-or-above grade level.
• In science, 62.6 percent performed at-or-above grade level.

Last year, students in Easton scored 80.7 in math, and slightly lower -- 73.2 percent -- in reading.

However, Easton students fell below the state's 2011/2012 Adequate Yearly Progress target for reading, which was to have 81 percent of students performing at-or-above grade level. The state's math target was 78 percent.

Federal No Child Left Behind Guidelines require all students to reach 100 percent proficiency in math and reading by 2014.

Based on the results of the PSSAs, each school in the district gets a corresponding status:

• Tracy, Forks, Shawnee and Palmer elementary schools have all made AYP, according to the district.
• March and Paxinosa elementary schools have been given "warning" status. That means they fell short of AYP, but has another year to make the goal.
• Cheston Elementary School and the fifth- and sixth-grade half of Easton Area Middle School were given school improvement status after failing to meet AYP for two consecutive years.
• Easton Area Middle School (7th and 8th grade) and Easton Area High School were given the "corrective action" designation, which comes from four or more consecutive years of not making AYP.

"If a school or district continues to be identified as in need of improvement, then the state has increased authority to make any necessary, additional changes to ensure improvement," the Department of Education explains in its PSSA glossary.