This document provides guidelines for gang awareness and prevention in the California school system. It is based on the belief that inservice training programs help school staff recognize early signs of gang activity, a necessary step to intervention. Following the introduction, chapter 1 offers descriptive information on gangs and their members, such as gang characteristics, risk factors, types of gangs, reasons for the appeal of gangs, and consequences of membership. The second chapter describes techniques for gang prevention and intervention, which include building self-esteem, preventing and resolving conflict, communicating effectively, resisting peer pressure, enforcing a discipline and conduct code, and creating a secure school. Chapter 3 discusses school and school district responses to gangs, such as graffiti removal teams, school safety and dress code policies, lists of school gang members, search and seizure issues, gang resistance curriculum, and partnerships with other organizations. The final chapter describes the roles to be played by school boards, the school district office, school-site administrators, teachers and school staff, and parents in gang prevention and intervention. Appendices contain California School Board Association (CSBA) sample policies on gangs, dress and grooming, and search and seizure; sample letters; and information on sharing confidential information. State and county contacts are also listed. Contains 43 references. (LMI)