The primary local funding source for school support has always been the property or "ad valorum" tax. State funds, determined for each district by the "foundation program" formula, supplement this tax. Local school boards, state legislatures, state constitutions, and the voters have the power to provide quality education. In many states, however, the power which might result from increased educational expenditures has been limited. This is especially true for the poor Mexican American population. In Serrano vs Priest, the plaintiffs contend that the dependence on local property taxes for education results in wide revenue disparities among school districts. Rodriguez vs San Antonio Independent School District argues that the state minimum foundation program and general fund contribution do not equalize the great disparity in taxable property among school districts. In these cases the courts did not reject the property tax but did reject the reliance on it for local funding. The direct effects of these cases on Mexican American education are that they have: (1) served notice that Chicanos will not continue to tolerate discriminatory laws or practices, (2) aroused interest among Chicano law students, and (3) focused on the serious need for increased resources for quality education for everyone. (NQ)