A 1ST-YEAR REPORT OF AN EVALUATION STUDY OF ACTION AND DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS FOR DELINQUENCY PREVENTION AMONG URBAN GHETTO YOUTH IS PRESENTED. THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY WAS TO DETERMINE THE NET EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INTERVENTION EFFORTS OF WASHINGTON ACTION FOR YOUTH IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH A HIGH CONCENTRATION OF LOW-INCOME NEGRO YOUTH. THE RESEARCH DESIGN INCLUDED (1) A BASE EXPECTANCY STUDY TO COLLECT DATA FOR DELINQUENCY PREDICTION, (2) IDENTIFICATION AND STUDY OF AN ADOLESCENT COHORT OF 14- TO 17-YEAR-OLDS, (3) STUDIES OF SOME OF THE COHORT FAMILIES, (4) RESEARCH ON A SAMPLE OF THE DEMONSTRATION PRESCHOOL POPULATION IN THE AREA, AND (5) AN ACCOUNTING OF THE POPULATION FOR POTENTIAL USE IN A DATA BANK. THE ORIGINAL FAMILY STUDY WAS EXPANDED INTO A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF LOW INCOME FAMILIES, AND THE COGNITIVE DATA ON THE PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WAS USED TO STUDY THEIR LANGUAGE RESPONSES TO DIFFERENT STIMULI UNDER VARYING CONDITIONS. IT WAS HYPOTHESIZED THAT THERE WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INSTITUTIONALIZED AND NONINSTITUTIONALIZED YOUTH ON SUCH FACTORS AS LOW SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, EDUCATION, FAMILY CHARACTERISTICS, INTACT OR BROKEN HOMES, SOCIAL CLASS ASPIRATIONS, PEER GROUP BEHAVIOR, AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVIANCY. THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE STUDY ARE DISCUSSED IN DETAIL, AND MUCH OF THE RELEVANT DATA IS SUMMARIZED IN 106 TABLES. AN ABSTRACT OF THE STUDY IS INCLUDED. (NH)