LUCHA™ Program Overview

Language Learners at the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Hispanic Achievement

Introduction

Children immigrating to Texas from Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries face many challenges. These students face academic failure not only because of a language barrier but also because most schools do not have the resources to determine appropriate grade placement, diagnose content-area mastery, or train personnel to recognize and address the challenges faced by immigrant students.

Program Purpose

LUCHA is an innovative K-16 Education Center initiative designed to help secondary Spanish-speaking English language learners transition into public schools, thereby helping them to achieve success in school, college, and life.

Program Goal

To increase the graduation rate for Spanish-speaking English language learners

Program Objectives

To provide Spanish-speaking English language learners the opportunity to:

• transition into public school without losing instructional time and credits while learning English
• master the core courses in English
• pass the state-mandated performance exams and receive a high school diploma
• build a foundation for successfully completing a post secondary education

Program Services for Secondary Students

• Obtain transcripts from Mexico
• Interpret student transcripts to create a Graduation Credit Analysis (GCA) which includes a summary of credits earned in Mexico and their course equivalencies
• Administer online diagnostic assessments in Spanish
• Provide online courses in Spanish in the core subject areas which facilitates transitioning into English

Download a presentation on our LUCHA program.

If interested in providing LUCHA services in your district, complete and fax the LUCHA District Partnership Application.