A STUDY OF 168 AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS WHICH ACHIEVE IMPORTANT RESULTS IN ENGLISH WAS CONDUCTED BY FACULTY MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ENGLISH AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS THROUGH QUESTIONNAIRES, INTERVIEWS, AND OBSERVATIONS. THIS PRELIMINARY REPORT CONSIDERS FINDINGS OF THE STUDY RELEVANT TO (1) THE LEADERSHIP AND STAFFING OF ENGLISH PROGRAMS, (2) THE NATURE OF THE CURRICULA FOR LITERATURE, COMPOSITION, SPEECH, AND READING, (3) DESIRABLE CONDITIONS FOR TEACHING ENGLISH, AND (4) METHODS OF EVALUATING ENGLISH DEPARTMENTS. THIS ARTICLE APPEARED IN "THE NORTH CENTRAL ASSOCIATION QUARTERLY," VOL. 40 (WINTER 1966), 247-254. (SEE ALSO ED 010 163 FOR THE COMPLETE REPORT.) (DL)