"Things are hard out there. It's a lot easier if you get a GED or high school diploma... When I started the GED program at IU 13, I stayed every single day because that teacher grabbed right at my heartstrings. He knew exactly why I was there without me even saying it.”

Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 proposed budget includes commonsense solutions to problems facing Pennsylvanians — especially when it comes to strengthening the Commonwealth’s workforce.

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal is a commonsense plan that builds on two years of progress by solving problems and making Pennsylvania more competitive.

A key focus of the Governor’s proposal is investing in workforce development to ensure Pennsylvania has enough trained professionals in critical industries. This includes expanding access to adult literacy programs to help more Pennsylvanians earn their GED and advance their careers.

Currently, 650,000 Pennsylvania adults lack a high school diploma, limiting their job prospects and economic mobility. Pennsylvania’s 54 adult literacy centers provide essential education and training but demand far exceeds available resources – more than 7,500 Pennsylvanians are currently on waitlists due to funding constraints.

Governor Shapiro’s budget proposes a $6 million investment to expand access to GED preparation courses, improve literacy education, and ensure more adults have the skills they need to succeed in today’s job market. In his budget address, Governor Shapiro called on the General Assembly to work with him on solving these problems, addressing the challenges facing adult learners and ensure people across the Commonwealth have the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed.

Click here to watch Alexandra Lon, an adult literacy graduate, share how learning to read as an adult has transformed her life and empowered her as a caregiver, or read the transcript below.

TRANSCRIPT

"Things are hard out there. It's a lot easier if you get a GED or high school diploma.

My name is Alexandra Lon, and I am here representing adult education. The funding definitely needs to be increased. They need supplies. Those teachers are literally dedicating their lives to this and making next to nothing, and they're the most inspiring people.

I myself went back to school at 33 and got my GED and started college before I had to stop for my pregnancy. When I started the GED program at IU 13, I stayed every single day because that teacher grabbed right at my heartstrings. He knew exactly why I was there without me even saying it. I'm telling you, they really connect to you. They really do. And I knew I was able to succeed because of the teachers there.

I never thought I was worth anything until I started trying and testing myself to see what I was capable of. And it's encouraging to think that there's going to be so many other people out there doing the same thing."