A school program for disadvantaged youngsters should be like that in any good elementary school but with added compensatory features. Such innovations include reduced class size, a stabilized experienced staff, special services and resources, and a parent education program. Evaluation procedures should be continuous and instructionally oriented, and remedial services in reading and mathematics should be carried out with close cooperation between specialists and classroom teachers. Because disadvantaged children need a prolonged and enriched compensatory readiness program in reading, this document offers model language arts programs for lower and upper elementary grades, as well as lists of developmental reading materials, books for parents, and books devoted to special subjects and settings. (NH)