Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1989. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 237-245).

No other population has contributed more to American society and received so little in return."1 Until recently the Mexican-Americans had remained quietly in the background, apparently accepting their station in life with little or no desire to improve it--a "sleeping giant," as some politicians have called this politically potential group. Statistics show that relatively few Mexican-Americans have become acculturated and assimilated into Anglo-American society (See page 9). The great majority have retained their Spanish language and their family traditions, and have remained more or less static in their economic position and isolated from the mainstream of life in the United States. While most ethnically differentiated groups in United States have used the educational system as a "major vehicle for social mobility," Mexican-Americana either have not taken full advantage of the opportunity, or it has been inaccessible to them.