Martin Sanchez Jankowski conducted a 10-year study of gangs of varying ethnicity in three major cities, with a focus on New York City and Los Angeles (California). The center of his research has been in low-income areas, where gangs have been an institution for more than 150 years. Jankowski acquired experience by living with gangs from a variety of ethnic groups, including Mexican American, Salvadoran, Nicaraguan, African American, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Jamaican, and Irish gangs. Gangs, Jankowski reports, are an organizational response to inequality and poverty that act in an entrepreneurial manner, with business relationships. While gangs frequently engage in criminal activities, crime is not the central issue. Schools are better advised to try to work with gangs to relieve criminal behavior than to try to get rid of gangs. Trying to eradicate gangs is a waste of energy, but schools can provide a long-term alternative for the best and brightest gang members. A major contribution would be a good jobs program, with cutting-edge vocational education and good job placement services. No other school effort has as great a chance of success. (Contains 11 references.) (SLD)