The Skills Gap

Pennsylvania students are not adequately educated to meet the demands of an increasingly complex and technical world. 

Some alarming facts:

• Only 82 percent of Pennsylvania students will graduate high school.
• During the 2005-2006 school year, 319 students dropped out of high school in Erie County making a nine-year total of 3,656 drop-outs.
• Of those who do receive a diploma, only half are academically prepared to continue their education.
• When 11th grader’s were tested for math skills, only 52 percent of Pennsylvania students, and 56 percent of Erie County students scored at a proficient or advanced level.
• Only six school districts in Erie County outperformed the state average on the advanced math section of the PSSA (Pennslvania System of School Assessment).
• The Pensylvania state average is only 28.1 percent.
• If current trends are not addressed, the Pennsylvanian work force will be less educated in 2020 than it is today.

Needed Education Reforms

1. Meet and exceed international standards in math, science, reading and writing skills.

2. Change technical degree requirements to eliminate unneeded courses at the college level.