Roberto Alvarez Jr.Ī California Superior Court judge ruled that segregating the Mexican-American students infringed on the laws of the state, and soon all the kids were back attending school together. Roberto Alvarez (right) and Roberto Alvarez Jr., at the School of American Research, New Mexico 1996. Their plaintiff was Roberto Alvarez, age 12, chosen because of his fair appearance, excellent grades, and perfect English. So the Lemon Grove parents banded together and sued the district. In fact, many of the Mexican-American children had been born and raised in California. He told them that henceforth they would be studying in a rundown building the kids called la caballeriza (“the stable”).Īlthough the district maintained that this was necessary because the Mexican-American students couldn’t speak English and had assimilation issues, it was really more of a reflection of the anti-immigrant sentiments of the Depression era. One day, the principal blocked the door and turned away the Mexican-American kids. Lemon Grove was a small district outside San Diego, where Mexican-American and white students attended school together. Lemon Grove School District (California, 1931)
Here’s a look at six key cases where Latinos helped shape education policy. In cases dealing with everything from the “separate but equal” doctrine to bilingual education to college access, the Latino community has a rich legacy of parents fighting for better schools, better communities, and better futures for their children.