SINCE MANY MEXICAN-AMERICANS ARE VOCATIONALLY UNTRAINED AND FUNCTIONALLY ILLITERATE, THE PROBLEMS RELATED TO THEIR EDUCATION ARE ANALYZED THROUGH EXAMINATION OF EDUCATIONAL NEEDS IN RELATION TO OCCUPATIONAL SUCCESS, CITIZENSHIP PARTICIPATION, AND PERSONALITY FACTORS. OCCUPATIONAL SUCCESS IS OFTEN PREVENTED BY A DIRECT CONFLICT BETWEEN THE MEXICAN FOLK CULTURE AND THE AMERICAN LABOR FORCE DEMANDS. THIS CONFLICT ARISES FROM THEIR LACK OF COMPETITIVENESS, THEIR TIMIDITY, THEIR TIME ORIENTATION, AND THEIR LEVELS OF ASPIRATION. ALL NEED TO BE TAUGHT THEIR BASIC CIVIL RIGHTS AS U.S. CITIZENS, THE EXTENT OF THEIR PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW, AND THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY VARIOUS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS WITHING THE SOCIO-CULTURAL MILIEU PRODUCE A POSITIVE SELF IMAGE WHILE LITTLE SUCCESS PRODUCES A NEGATIVE ONE. PROBLEMS OF ACCULTURATION ARE CAUSED BY THE DISFUNCTIONS BETWEEN THE SOCIAL SYSTEM IN WHICH THE INDIVIDUAL IS FORCED TO OPERATE AND THE VALUE SYSTEM TO WHICH HE IS COMMITTED. THESE POINTS SUMMARIZE THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN--EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY, INCLUSION OF SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, WELL PREPARED TEACHERS, GOOD MATERIALS, BETTER APPROACHES, SMALL CLASSES, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT. THIS PAPER WAS PREPARED FOR THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEXICAN AMERICANS, AUSTIN, TEXAS, APRIL 25-26, 1968. (CL)