:: LUCHA™ Program
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
1. What are the goals, objectives, and focus of the LUCHA™ program?
Goal: To increase the graduation rate for Spanish-speaking English language learners (ELL).
Objectives: To provide high school Spanish-speaking English language learners the opportunity to:
1. Transition into Texas schools without losing instructional time and credits while learning English.
2. Pass the state-mandated performance exams and receive a high school diploma.
3. Build a foundation for successfully completing a post-secondary education.
2. What services are provided through the LUCHA™ program?
LUCHA™ provides the following services for students, grades 9-12:
1. Diagnostic Assessments in Spanish
2. High School Graduation Credit Analysis(GCA) for students from Mexico
3. Online Courses in Spanish.
4. ASKME Courses in English.
3. How will students and districts benefit from the LUCHA™ program?
Students benefit because they will:
• Have their course work from Mexico validated.
• Not lose instructional time by repeating coursework already completed in Mexico.
• Have access to courses in core subject areas in their native language to assist with transitioning into English.
• Develop a more positive self-esteem.
• Be on track to graduate on time.
Districts benefit because districts will:
• Save money through the awarding of credits for courses previously taken in Mexico,
• Reduce their dropout rate.
• Improve their graduation rate.
• Improve their accountability rating.
4. What type of research has been done to support the LUCHA™ program?
In their article, If Your Child Learns in Two Languages, Nancy Zelasko and Beth Antunez write, “When children who are not yet fluent in English switch to using only English, they are forced to function at an intellectual level below their age” (2000). It is best for children to develop their native language first and then transfer their skills to the second language (English) to ensure academic success and intellectual development. Zelasko and Antunez point out children who learn English and who continue to develop their native language perform much better than those students who learn English at the expense of their first language (2000).
5. Which Mexican governmental agencies and/or educational agencies are involved?
The UT K-16 Education Center is collaborating with the following Mexican governmental and/or educational agencies:
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Ministry of Public Education
• National Institute for Adult Education (INEA)
• La Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)
• Colegio de Bachilleres.
6. How do I contact LUCHA™?
To find out more about providing LUCHA™ services in your school or district, update in transcript services or any question regarding courses, please contact the LUCHA™ email: lucha@austin.utexas.edu
7. How does the district request information on the costs of the LUCHA™ program?
For more information on program costs and contracts please contact us via the LUCHA™ email: lucha@austin.utexas.edu
8. What type of student would benefit most from Transcript Analysis services?
Spanish-speaking students who:
• have enrolled within the past two years in Texas public schools,
• are recent immigrants from Mexico, and
• have completed at least the third year of Secundaria (equivalent to 9th grade in the U.S.).
9. Who will be available when technical difficulties occur?
The district should first determine if the technical problem is caused by district hardware, software or Internet connectivity issues. If the technical problem is not district based, the district should contact their LUCHA team to pursue the problem with UT.
10. LUCHA™ obtain and analyze transcripts?
LUCHA™ provides two transcript services.
1. Obtains transcripts from Mexico for students who do not have them, and Analyzes transcripts from grades 8-12.
2. Analyzes student transcripts from Mexico and creates a Graduation Credit Analysis (GCA) for students, grades 8-12. The GCA:
o Shows the total number of credits earned in Mexico.
o Recommends LUCHA™ online courses in Spanish that would be appropriate for the student to take to help transition into English while continuing to earn credit in core subject areas.
11. Who should be contacted if a response to a transcript request has not been received?
For information on specific student transcript requests, please contact the LUCHA Team via email lucha@austin.utexas.edu sending the student in formation following FERPA rules (first names, and first initial of student last name)
12. How are the LUCHA™ diagnostic assessments accessed?
For more information on accessing the LUCHA™ Diagnostic Assessments, please contact the LUCHA™ Field Trainer assigned to your educational region.
13. Are the LUCHA™ courses aligned to the TEKS?
Courses have been aligned to the TEKS by highly qualified teachers from Mexico and Texas. Gaps that were identified in the courses are provided to teachers in participating school districts.
14. How can district teachers and students access online assistance regarding course content?
Questions can be submitted to the LUCHA email; lucha@austin.utexas.edu
