NCJ Number
146819
Journal
Urban Education Volume: 24 Issue: 3 Dated: (October 1989) Pages: 323-342
Date Published
1993
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Data were obtained from self-administered questionnaires completed by 10th-grade students and teachers, and from focused interviews with principals and school counselors in East Los Angeles County. The data were used to help formulate policies to maintain order in gang-impacted public schools and to increase the educational opportunities for all pupils.
Abstract
The sample consisted of 3,540 pupils, 43 percent Anglo and 36 percent Latino, and 350 teachers, 88 percent Anglo and 7 percent Latino. The findings showed that Latino youth gangs in East Los Angeles differed from many gangs in terms of structure and activities: they were less tightly structured, less controlling of their members, and less concerned with the defense of their "territory." Most gang members were not alienated from middle-class educational values. While there was minimal gang-related disorder at these schools, researchers also found that little attention was given to the personal and educational needs of youth gang members. Five recommendations were made: to downplay the gang phenomenon at school; to reorient educators about gang youth; to provide teachers with accurate information about the gangs in their schools; to make gang-affiliated youth feel like legitimate members of the school community; and to develop a guidance team for each gang member. 4 tables and 10 references