A Promising Model: The Arriba Program for Latino Immigrant Students.

Latino English Language Learners (ELLs) who have recently immigrated to the United States represent a large and growing population that is markedly underserved. Recent trends in the data depict a significant dropout rate from high school and college for these students. According to the latest available data from The National Center for Educational Statistics, the high school dropout rate for Latinos was more than triple the rate for Caucasians. The acculturation difficulties that Latino students encounter are daunting. This article briefly reviews some of the cultural, linguistic, emotional, socioeconomic, and health challenges that may impede success in school. A group intervention model, the Arriba Program, is presented as a means of assisting students in addressing some of these acculturation difficulties. The program involves a school-based, professionally-led peer support group. The program is intended to be practical, culturally-sensitive, and readily disseminated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]