SPECIALIST-LEVEL PREPARATION IN SCHOOL VIOLENCE AND YOUTH GANG INTERVENTION

Surveys regarding the level and scope of training provided in both tra ditional child and youth issues and that of school violence and youth gang prevention were sent to 213 school psychology training programs. Ninety specialist-level programs were included in the final study. Res ults indicated the majority of programs provided substantial intervent ion training for more traditional behavioral concerns (e.g., ADHD, con duct problems). Training in school violence prevention and, in particu lar, youth gang prevention/interventjon, were lower priorities for tra ining. The hypothesis was not supported that programs located in or ne ar metropolitan areas are more likely to offer training in school viol ence and gang interventions. These results are discussed within the co ntext of practitioner preparation for violence intervention. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.