Question

mendez v. westminster
assigned by: jaclyn vazquez
due: dec 18, 2025 11:59 pm

1. intro 2. vocabulary 3. read 4. quiz

reading quiz
question 5
instructions
read the question carefully and select the best answer.
according to the text, the separation of schoolchildren based on language was
a. something that only happened in states other than california
b. done openly and with good intentions
c. designed to specifically exclude mexican american children
d. occurred primarily in regional high schools

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The case Mendez v. Westminster was in California, so separation based on language wasn't only in other states. Eliminate A.
• Option B: The separation (segregation) of Mexican - American children in schools was often justified with pretexts like "language" but was discriminatory. However, if we consider the context of the Mendez case, the segregation was done under the guise of "language" but with the underlying intent of exclusion. But more accurately, the segregation was designed to exclude Mexican - American children (Option C is more direct). Wait, no—wait, in the context of Mendez v. Westminster, the segregation of schoolchildren based on language (though a pretext) was part of a system that was designed to specifically exclude Mexican American children. But let's re - evaluate:
• Option C: The segregation in Mendez v. Westminster was aimed at excluding Mexican - American children from white schools. The "language" - based separation was a tool to do this. So this is correct.
• Option D: The segregation was in elementary schools (in the Mendez case context), not primarily high schools. Eliminate D.

Wait, maybe I made a mistake. Let's think again. The Mendez case was about the segregation of Mexican - American children in California schools. The segregation was done by creating separate schools, often claiming it was for "language" or "cultural" reasons, but the real intent was to exclude Mexican - American children from the white - dominated schools. So Option C is correct as the separation (even under the language pretext) was designed to exclude Mexican American children.

Answer:

C. designed to specifically exclude Mexican American children