Beginning in 1978, a 20-year study charted the evolution of the public education system in Mexico, focusing on literacy instruction for various age groups and special populations. Drawing on descriptions of schools visited during the author's 13 visits to Mexico, this book describes Mexican educational practices, with the aim of helping U.S. teachers understand the Mexican students in their classrooms. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the school system, describes the organization of the Secretaria de Educacion Publica, and profiles four educators involved in school administration in Mexico City primary schools. Chapter 2 describes literacy instruction in the early grades, reviews the history of the literacy curriculum for primary grades, profiles the daily activities of a first-grade teacher, and outlines changes in basic literacy instruction during the study period. Chapter 3 describes rural education, bilingual literacy instruction for indigenous communities, and adult literacy instruction. Chapter 4 discusses changes in special education since the 1970s. Chapter 5 examines teacher training, including normal schools, the Universidad Pedagogica Nacional, teacher resource centers, teacher salaries and benefits, and teacher attitudes toward public education and teacher education. Chapter 6 describes Mexican and binational efforts to support Spanish literacy for Mexicans in the United States. Chapter 7 considers likely ongoing trends in Mexican education. (Contains 76 references) (SV)