This book is written about youth gangs with the aim of educating teachers and administrators, parents, and others who work with youth. The main emphasis is on gang identifiers and positive behavior management strategies and crisis intervention techniques that can be used in schools and the home. Section 1, "Youth Gangs Past and Present," provides the framework of information on which to build an awareness of gangs, including characteristics of youth gangs, their history, identifiers of gang activity in an area, and motivational factors that explain why adolescents and young adults join gangs. Section 2, "Identification of Youth Gang Involvement," outlined "pre-gang" behaviors and describes the major youth gangs from across the country. In Section 3, "Controlling Gang Activity at School: Prevention and Intervention," information is provided on preventive behavior management strategies. Proactive and positively oriented strategies designed to boost students' self-esteem are emphasized. This section also contains an outline of topics for a "Basic Gang Awareness" seminar for school staff or parents. Section 4, "Developing Crisis Management Plans," presents crisis intervention techniques emphasizing student and teacher safety. Section 5, "Case Studies," presents a variety of student behavior problems. Questions for discussion and role play ideas are provided after each case study. Summary boxes in the first four sections contain concise information that could be photocopied and distributed to staff and parents. Each section contains an annotated list of references and resources. (SLD)