This report presents an anthropological perspective on the legal, demographic and community issues involved in school desegregation in Los Angeles. Views on the desegregation process expressed by lawyers, school administrators, community members, educators, and anthropologists who attended a 1978 symposium are summarized. An historical and legal review of desegregation issues in California from 1963 to 1978 is provided. Several issues pertinent to desegregation efforts in any large city are raised, including: (1) the status of minority multiethnic and multilingual groups other than blacks in desegregation remedies; (2) inclusion or exclusion of racially isolated schools in desegregation plans; (3) the definition of a desegregated school in districts where whites are the minority; and (4) problems of citizen involvement. The benefits of desegregation to different racial and ethnic groups are discussed. Also included are suggestions regarding the contributions anthropologists can make in clarifying problems in desegregation planning. (Author/APM)