AUSTIN -- Spanish-speaking students in South Texas will have the opportunity to take Mexican high school courses online under a program devised by the University of Texas and Mexican education agencies.


The program will be piloted this fall in the Donna and Edcouch-Elsa school districts in Hidalgo County. It will enable students to use computers to study math and science courses in Spanish, while they learn English and social studies in their Texas schools.

Proponents say the program could help reduce the dropout rate among high school students who become frustrated with the language barrier.

"Generally they drop out because they can't pass courses and get frustrated not knowing the language and sitting in classrooms. This is an incentive for them to at least see something they're passing," said Felipe Alanis, an associate dean of UT's Division of Continuing Education and former Texas education commissioner.

The students will be able to use the Spanish-language curriculum to supplement courses they are taking in English or even to complete a course, although they must take the final exam in English to receive Texas credit.

Students could potentially receive their diplomas from Mexico, which would allow them to attend a community college in Texas.

Organizers say participating students could include immigrants, students whose families are migrant workers or American students from Spanish-speaking homes.

William Powers Jr., president of UT-Austin, signed the educational agreement this month with Mexican education officials, including the director of a high school program offering online courses and a top administrator of adult education.

The agreement also will help Texas educators place older students in the proper grade by considering their transcripts from Mexico. Alanis said high school-age immigrant students are routinely placed in the ninth grade regardless of their academic standing.

Alanis said the program is the result of "nine months of intensive talks," including work to align Texas and Mexican curriculum in math and science.

As part of the pilot program, the participating school districts each received a $500,000 federal grant to buy computers, pay for the online programs and train teachers.

Educators in South Texas said the language barrier can be particularly difficult for older students.

"This program will give them access to the translation of the language," said Minerva Guerra-Gonzalez, special populations director for Edcouch-Elsa. "The barrier of the language is what keeps them behind sometimes."

Alanis said it's a coincidence that the program is beginning during a national debate over immigration policy.

"This is not to encourage immigration," he said. "These kids are in our schools now, and schools are needing help with this population."

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Information from: Houston Chronicle,