Reviewed are some of the legal challenges aimed against the misplacement of minority group children in low ability groups in southwestern states. Court cases covered include Ruiz vs. State Board of Education, Spangles vs. Board of Education, Diana vs. Board of Education, Arreola vs. Board of Education, Covarrubias vs. San Diego, Larry P. vs. Riles, Guadalupe Organization vs. Tempe, U.S. vs. Texas, Serna vs. Portales, and Lau vs. Nichols. The cases cited are reported to involve major issues including that determination and placement of linguistically and culturally different children was made on the basis of IQ tests which were normed on an Anglo middle class population; that tests were generally incompetently administered by public school personnel lacking the qualifications and training to interpret test results accurately; and that the consent of the parents whose children were wrongfully placed was not obtained, and when it was obtained, it was not informed, true, or valid consent. Far reaching effects (such as passage of legislation calling for educational reforms in special class placement) as well as immediate results of the law suits are considered. (SB)