Lupe visited her children’s school,
a daring action for her. “Many Hispanic
parents would not dream of going to the
classroom,” she said. “In Hispanic culture,
the teacher is regarded as a third parent,
as an ultimate authority. To question
her would seem most disrespectful, as
though you were saying that she didn’t
know her job.” That was one reason
Lupe’s grandparents had not interfered
when Lupe was classified as retarded.
“Anglo teachers often misunderstand
Hispanic parents, believing that they