Various explanations and possible solutions for the low social status and poor school achievement of the Mexican American are the subject of this book, which examines ethnic characteristics of the Mexican American, socioeconomic conditions in the five southwestern states, and practices and policies of the schools in the Southwest. This book grew out of an earlier work ("Mexicans in School: A History of Educational Neglect") based on the Mexican American Study Project; to supplement the background provided by that extensive investigation, the authors conducted 100 interviews and examined research studies of the past decade, as well as reports of special programs for Mexican Americans that resulted from federal funding for minority group education projects. Chapter headings include"A History of Educational Neglect,""The Outcome of Schooling,""The Failure of the Chicano,""The Default of the School,""Efforts to Adjust the Child," and "Efforts to Modify the Institution." A final chapter analyzes the failure of compensatory education programs and recommends strategies for effectively changing educational policies and practices. A bibliography of nearly 400 titles is appended. (JH)