The paper reviews research on the early identification of delinquent-prone children and considers the role of prediction in developing effective delinqency prevention programs. Among issues addressed are definitions of delinquency, theories on causation, and the role of prediction in criminology. Pros and cons of prediction are examined. Among negative issues considered are invasion of privacy and justice, cost, and labeling. Prediction methodology is analyzed, and implementation factors (what to predict, how to predict, when to predict, and what to do as a result of prediction information) are discussed. The role of the teacher in predicting delinquency is addressed. Recommendations are made concerning the development of intervention programs in the public schools. (CL)