These problems result from the unpredictability of their parents, enrollment delays, transience, distractibility, low self-esteem, or brain damage. The results can include academic weaknesses, handicapping conditions, truancy, cultural and language barriers, and vocational unreadiness. The professionals involved with these children need to recognize the significance of educational problems as a consequence of abuse and neglect and as a cause of delinquency. They must also obtain needed assessments of the youth's educational strengths and weaknesses, recognize the role of parents in improving the child's school satisfaction, and learn how the local regular, special, and vocational education programs work. Judges, attorneys, and caseworkers can advocate for these children and should involve the parents and work with school staff in providing appropriate placements and continuing support for each student. 14 footnotes.