THE BASIC DEVELOPMENTAL READING PROGRAM IS REVIEWED AS A FOUNDATION FOR SOUND REMEDIAL OR CORRECTIVE PROGRAMS IN A GUIDE FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY READING IN NEBRASKA SCHOOLS. THE PRESENTATION IS DEVELOPED AROUND FOUR TOPICS--(1) DEVELOPMENTAL READING (CHILDREN'S GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS AND NEEDS, INSTRUCTIONAL READING LEVEL, READINESS, THE ROLE OF THE KINDERGARTEN, GROUPING, TEACHING A BASIC READING SELECTION, SUGGESTIONS FOR PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT, AND CONTINUOUS EVALUATION), (2) THE EDUCATIONAL, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, LINGUISTIC, AND OTHER CAUSES OF READING DISABILITIES, (3) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CORRECTIVE READING PROGRAM (SELECTION OF PERSONNEL AND STUDENTS FOR SPECIAL CLASSES DIAGNOSTIC MATERIALS AND PROCEDURES, ORGANIZATION OF PROGRAM, SELECTION OF MATERIALS, METHODS, ARRANGEMENT OF READING CENTER, EVALUATION OF READING PROGRESS, AND ROLES OF TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, SPECIAL READING TEACHERS, PUPILS, AND PARENTS), AND (4) THE CHALLENGE OF A GOOD READING PROGRAM. INCLUDED IN THE APPENDIXES ARE A PARTIAL LISTING OF BOOKS, WORKBOOKS, GAMES, MAGAZINES, KITS, AND AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT FOR RETARDED READERS, AN EXAMPLE OF SKILLS TAUGHT IN A SECOND READER (SECOND LEVEL), AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SELECTED REFERENCES FOR A PROFESSIONAL READING SHELF. (LS)