Since the early 1970s the courts, the Federal Government, local governments, and school systems have wrestled with the difficulties that arise as race desegregation is implemented in school systems with substantial enrollments of national origin minority (NOM) students. Desegregating school systems generally produce plans to guide racial desegregation that involve only the use of strategies and measures aimed at correcting the harm endured by black students. It is argued that school desegregation planning and implementation need not infringe on the continuation and implementation of bilingual programs. Suggestions are given for addressing issues that arise in the following areas: (1) identification and definition of NOM students and staff; (2) setting fixed ratios for students or staff; (3) applying state and federal regulations affecting desegregation; (4) overall desegregation planning; (5) settling other logistics of desegregation implementation; (6) assignment of NOM students; (7) special education programming; (8) funding; and (9) monitoring desegregation plans. Desegregation planners can use this list of issues as a checklist of matters to consider in protecting the interests of NOM students during school desegregation. Nine court cases with a bearing on these issues are listed. (Contains 5 references.) (SLD)