The three essays of this collection explore the prevention of violence in urban schools. The first, "Preventing Violence in Schools," by Mary Hatwood Futrell and Lee Etta Powell, focuses on how to prevent violence in schools and offers recommendations on what schools and communities can do. The factors contributing to school violence are numerous, complex, and mostly community-related. A number of strategies are available for addressing the problem from a classroom or schoolwide perspective, but others can be suggested for individual students, helping them focus on discipline as positive behavior. Investment programs such as tutoring, counseling, jobs, and recreation and youth facilities would be more cost-effective in the long-run than such measures as hiring more security. The second essay, "Gang Activity at School: Prevention Strategies," by Shirley Lal, reviews what is known about gangs and their impact and consequences in schools. It also suggests a variety of strategies for preventing gang activity and altering negative gang behavior. The final essay, "School Violence and the Legal Rights of Students: Selected Issues," by Dorianne Beyer, considers the effects of the public perception of widespread and growing school violence, which leads to a situation in which the rights of school administrators come to take precedence over the rights of students when school safety is at stake. The current judicial trend highlights society's fears and disrespect for children. Contains a total of 90 references. (SLD)