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.

In 2024, 60% of students in Lancaster County and 37% of Lancaster City School District students scored as proficient or advanced on the PSSA Grade 3 English Language Arts exam. The county rate increased 5 percentage points and the district rate increased 4 percentage point since 2023.

In contrast, 46% of historically underperforming students in Lancaster County and 31% of historically underperforming students in the Lancaster City School District passed the exam, up from 40% in the County and 29% in the District in 2023. Lancaster County's 2024 rates for all students and historically underperforming students were above the statewide rates of 56% and 41%, respectively.

Compared with surrounding counties, Lancaster County had the third-highest proficiency rate among all students, following Chester and Cumberland (both 66%). It had the second-highest performance rate among historically underperforming students, following Cumberland County, at 49%.

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.