Examines the myth that Mexican American children have poor academic achievement because their parents don't value education. Focuses on the myth's origins in "deficit thinking" and concepts of "cultural deprivation" and "at-risk." Examines evidence to the contrary: Mexican Americans' long struggle for equal educational opportunity, studies documenting parental involvement, and a case study of transgenerational parental involvement. (ontains 106 references.) (Author/SV)