January 29, 2025
daynelle@westmorelandchamber
Literacy is Essential: Pennsylvania's Workforce Depends on It
There’s a looming crisis threatening our future workforce and economic stability: Pennsylvania’s literacy crisis.
Today, only 1 in 3 of Pennsylvania’s fourth graders are reading proficiently. It is a flashing warning sign of a system that’s not adequately preparing our children for the future. By fourth grade, students transition from learning to read to reading to learn. When they can’t make this leap, the consequences ripple through their lives and the broader economy. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, students who don’t achieve reading proficiency are four times more likely to drop out of highschool, leading to lower lifetime earnings, higher rates of unemployment, and a higher likelihood of entering the criminal justice system.
Westmoreland County is proud of its role as a hub for manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics. We sit at the intersection of opportunity, within 500 miles of nearly half the U.S. population and buying power. Our location, combined with access to interstate highways, rail service, and two major airports, positions us as a vital player in regional and national economies. But our workforce must be ready to seize these opportunities—and that readiness begins with literacy.
A strong foundation in reading is essential for job readiness in industries that power Westmoreland County. From healthcare professionals navigating complex medical texts to logistics workers managing intricate shipping schedules, literacy is a non-negotiable skill. Yet, when our students struggle to read, we see the downstream effects: higher dropout rates, lower GDP, and increased poverty and incarceration rates.
The connection between literacy and economic vitality is undeniable. A 2020 study by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and Gallup found that low literacy costs the U.S. economy up to $2.2 trillion annually in lost productivity and tax revenue. For Westmoreland County, this translates to fewer skilled workers in critical sectors, limited entrepreneurial growth, and families struggling to achieve financial stability.
Improving literacy rates doesn’t just benefit individuals—it strengthens entire communities. Adults with minimum literacy proficiency earn significantly higher incomes than those below proficiency levels, creating a ripple effect of economic growth and opportunity. As someone deeply invested in the success of Westmoreland County, and as the spouse of a career educator and literacy specialist, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of strong reading skills. Literacy opens doors, unlocks potential, and changes lives. But it requires a commitment from all of us—business leaders, educators, parents, and policymakers—to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.
The solution is within our reach. We know what works: investing in teacher training, providing evidence-based curricula, and using early literacy screeners to identify struggling readers before it’s too late. States like Mississippi have shown us what’s possible. By implementing evidence-based literacy policies and investing in these areas, Mississippi went from among the worst in the nation in fourth-grade reading outcomes to among the best—all in under a decade. If they can do it, so can we.
That’s why I’m urging Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania General Assembly to commit increased funding in the upcoming state budget to fund these critical initiatives. This investment isn’t just about today’s students; it’s about tomorrow’s workforce. It’s about ensuring that Westmoreland County remains a destination for businesses looking for skilled, competent workers. It’s about reducing the economic and social costs of low literacy and creating a brighter future for all Pennsylvanians.
This investment isn’t just about today’s students; it’s about tomorrow’s workforce. It’s about ensuring that Westmoreland County remains a destination for businesses looking for skilled, competent workers. It’s about reducing the economic and social costs of low literacy and creating a brighter future for all Pennsylvanians.
Westmoreland County’s motto is “More to Discover,” and that discovery begins with education. With 17 school districts serving nearly 46,000 students, we have an opportunity to lead by example. But we can’t do it alone. We need our state leaders to prioritize early literacy and provide the resources our educators need to succeed.
The stakes are too high to wait. Let’s work together to ensure that every child in Pennsylvania has the chance to read proficiently. The future of our economy, our communities, and our children depends on it.