Columbia Public Schools' Adult English Language Learner program could face significant setbacks as the Trump administration's proposed fiscal 2026 budget includes cuts to adult education state grants.

The proposed budget includes a 24% cut to adult education funding, reducing it from $642 million to about $486 million.

CPS's program provides free online and in-person classes for adult students trying to improve their English language skills. The director says these resources are crucial because the program serves hundreds of immigrant, refugee, and working-class families in Mid-Missouri.

"To prepare them for employment, having their children in schools, just the other social stuff that goes into being in a new environment, that's kinda of what we do. We're sort of language triage," program director Noah Siela said.

"These cuts would hit our classrooms, but the ripple effects extend far beyond education. We’re talking about workforce readiness, child success in K–12, and access to health care and jobs for people who are doing everything they can to contribute to their communities," Siela added.

The program has been serving Columbia for about 20 years and is funded through a combination of state and federal grants. Federal funding pays about 75% of the cost of the approximately $350,000 program.

Siela says the program runs simply and. Part of the grant pays for space and technology, but the majority is used to cover salaries for two full-time staff members, two full-time teachers and a few part-time instructors.

The program serves 200 to 250 people a year and students are required to have a current placement test on file before classes begin. Currently, the program has 150 people on a wait list. But, Siela says that if the proposed budget cuts go into effect, they would be forced to reduce enrollment.

"Teachers would have to be cut drastically, so not only the quality of the program would be diminished, we just wouldn't serve as many as people as need. I mean, we have to waitlist people as is already," Siela said.

Students enrolled in the program came from all over the world, Siela said.

"The Middle East, continental Africa and Central America, those are the three big ones," Siela said.

One of those students, Hui "Vivian" Shi, has been in the program since January and comes from China. She says the program has made a life-changing difference.

"I feel so motivation," Shi said. "When I first got here in the United States, I cannot understand what they are talking [about] and I cannot join in to talk. I feel sad."

Shi said the language barrier led to depression and she felt disconnected from society. Her daughter attends an elementary school in Columbia and Shi said the girl's English improved quickly. But Shi struggled before enrolling in the program.

Siela says there have been discussions about other funding, but nothing is set in stone.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has a similar program called Adult Education and Literacy. It provides free virtual and face-to-face classroom instruction in reading, language, mathematics, English language competency, workplace literacy and more.

"The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is awaiting further information and guidance from the U.S. Department of Education to understand how these potential budget changes related to Adult Education may impact programs and funding administered by DESE," the department said in a written statement.

The MU Intensive English Program will close May 31, due to declining enrollment, according to its website.