A case study of the desegregation process in Milwaukee's Public Schools and the participation of the Hispanic community in that process through the efforts of a parent-community group to safeguard the rights of Hispanic students to equal educational opportunity examines in detail the ways a community has dealt and continues to deal with issues affecting cities with multiethnic populations. The case study focuses on the legal and political decision-making process involved when a major city prepares and implements a plan for school desegregation, and the demands made by Hispanics for their educational needs and legal rights within the context of court-ordered desegregation. Discussed are the issues related to a 1924 Wisconsin law which eliminated all but English from the public school language curriculum, desegregation efforts by Blacks, legal definitions (and their potentially negative impact on Hispanics) used by courts and desegregation planners, and Wisconsin state policies promulgated in the 1970's (equalization of taxes between rich and poor school districts, voluntary transfers for desegregation and integration, and mandatory bilingual bicultural education). Noted in the conclusions are key variables involved in determining the outcomes of school desegregation planning and implementation as it has affected Hispanics in Milwaukee. (AN)