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COABE recognizes Senator Jay Costa and Governor Josh Shapiro for exceptional support of adult education during national Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFL) Week, taking place September 14–20, 2025. Senator Costa and Governor Shapiro were nominated by Literacy Pittsburgh, an adult education organization that serves Allegheny and Beaver counties.
“COABE is proud to honor Governor Shapiro and Senator Costa, recipients of the Legislative Champion Award, for distinguished leadership and support of adult education. This award is presented to lawmakers who go above and beyond to ensure adult learners have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed as a critical component to America’s talent pipeline,” said Sharon Bonney, CEO of COABE.
Senator Jay Costa has demonstrated a strong commitment to adult education through his unwavering support of adult and family literacy. He has championed funding for these vital programs in the state budget. Senator Costa championed the adult education field by speaking at the PAACE conference, encouraging adult educators and their students to advocate and share their stories with policymakers to build support for increased investment in this vital work.
Governor Josh Shapiro successfully secured the first increase in adult and family literacy funding in 8 years in the 2023-24 Pennsylvania budget. Recognizing the importance of adult and family literacy to preparing and expanding Pennsylvania’s workforce, he is advocating for a $6.3 million increase in the current year budget that is still being negotiated.
“Investment in adult education returns $6.03 to Pennsylvania’s economy for each dollar spent on skill-building classes,” said Carey Harris, Literacy Pittsburgh CEO. “Both Governor Shapiro and Senator Costa recognize that providing classes in GED preparation, English language learning, and digital and career skills encourages a steady pipeline of employees prepared for work.”
COABE and Literacy Pittsburgh thank Shapiro and Costa for their commitment to ensuring that adult learners have the support they need to reach their goals.
For more information about Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, the vast legislative support for the field of adult education, and this year’s Legislative Champion Awardees, visit www.coabe.org. For more information about how Literacy Pittsburgh helps local adults reach their goals, visit www.literacypittsburgh.org.
Literacy Pittsburgh (formerly Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council) helps create better lives through learning. Recognized as a national leader in adult and family literacy, Literacy Pittsburgh is the largest provider of adult basic education in Allegheny and Beaver Counties. Last year, Literacy Pittsburgh helped more than 4,000 individuals acquire the skills needed to reach their fullest potential in life and participate productively in their communities. Literacy Pittsburgh provides free, personalized instruction in workforce readiness, high school diploma test preparation, digital literacy, English language learning, math, reading, and family literacy through one-to-one and small class instruction. Founded in 1982, it serves local adults through numerous neighborhood locations and its Downtown Pittsburgh Learning Center.
