Reading IS Power

Literacy for Growth 2026 | 4th Annual West Texas Literacy Summit

Be part of the momentum shaping the future of literacy and workforce opportunity in West Texas.

Join the Literacy Coalition of the Permian Basin on April 29, 2026 (8:00 AM to 2:30 PM CST) at the Ellen Noël Art Museum in Odessa for Literacy for Growth 2026, a dynamic regional summit bringing together educators, employers, workforce leaders, nonprofits, and community champions committed to strengthening our region through literacy.

The day will feature inspiring keynote speaker Jacqueline “Jackie” Aguilera, COABE’s 2026 Administrator of the Year, along with engaging panel discussions, breakout sessions, and community vendors showcasing innovative solutions that connect adult education, workforce readiness, and economic growth.

LCPB members attend free, and organizational members may reserve up to five seats. Not a member yet? This is the perfect opportunity to join the coalition and connect with partners working to expand literacy and opportunity across West Texas.

Proudly supported by Diamondback Energy, our lead sponsor.

Light breakfast and lunch provided. Come ready to learn, collaborate, and help build a stronger future for our communities.

2026 West Texas Literacy Summit

Literacy Can Change Everything

The Literacy Coalition of the Permian Basin exists to increase literacy levels and skills of all people in the Permian Basin improving their quality of life.

As a member-based organization, we work through our community involvement and non-profit partnerships, by offering advocacy, capacity building, and professional development.

When communities come together to impact low literacy, then we all win!

Sub-Grant Program

Book Distributions

Memberships

Hover over the map for details.

Adult literacy can change everything from health to income equality, and poverty. Low literacy levels are impacting critical social issues. When individuals learn how to read, write, do basic math, and use computers, they have the power to lift themselves out of poverty, lower health care costs, find and keep sustainable employment, and ultimately change their lives.

About $106 to $238 billion in healthcare costs result from low adult literacy skills.

Health Care Costs

Between 2020 and 2030, about 30% of approximately 98,300 workers will require Level 3 literacy skills.

Economic Impact Assessment

28% of adults in Texas and 29% of adults in New Mexico are ranked low in literacy levels.

Need for workers

Literacy at Work

The fastest-growing occupation in the decades to come that requires Level 3 literacy is truck drivers, followed by managers, software developers, accountants, and auditors. Many of these rapidly growing occupations support the area’s energy sector, the cornerstone of the regional economy. Others are essential to the health and well-being of residents of the area.