San+Antonio+Independent+School+District+v.+Rodriguez

Case: San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez

Mexican American parents argued that their children who lived in a poorer district were getting a sub-standard education because their lower tax base did not provide the necessary funds to maintain facilities, buy materials and hire qualified personnel.

Ruling: District court held for Rodriguez,saying that the Texas finance system was unconstitutional under the Equal Protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Appeal: The Supreme Court overturned the lower court's ruling and found for the school district because, though they noted the discrepancy in the quality of education, the discrepancy existed for both the rich and the poor who resided in that district. Therefore, the school system was constitutional.

Impact: The school districts have the right to provide only the quality of education that they can afford given the tax base of the district.