In the face of an unprecedented increase in school crime and violence, this book addresses school crime as a two-dimensional issue consisting of the problem of crime in schools and the role of schools in preventing delinquency and dealing with delinquent students. This book reviews the theories that attempt to explain the relationships among school crime, crime in the community, the role of parents and peers, and schools' organization and policies. Recent educational research, information on laws and school policies, prevention strategies, and alternative schools and special education programs for delinquent and at-risk students are discussed. The following chapters are included: (1) "Delinquency and the Schools"; (2) "School Crime and Violence"; (3) "Explaining Delinquency and School Crime"; (4) "Families, Peers, Schools, and Delinquency"; (5) "Absenteeism, Dropout, and Delinquency"; (6) "School Structure and Delinquency"; (7) "School Law and Students' Rights"; (8) "Juvenile Justice, Police, and the Court"; (9) "Juvenile Corrections"; and (10) "School-Based Programs for Delinquency Prevention." Providing schools that are free of crime, drugs, and weapons demands the consolidated efforts of the entire community. Many of the school-based delinquency prevention programs that have been implemented show promise in helping improve the attendance and school performance of young people and reducing their delinquent behavior. An appendix lists National School Safety Center resources. (Contains 13 tables, 1 figure, and 56 references.) (SLD)