In a speech before the general convention of the National Catholic Educational Association in April of 1970, then Commissioner of Education Allen spoke of a contemporary look at basic skills and of an emerging dimension of parochial education. Speaking specifically of the "Right to Read" effort, of the current attention to environmental protection, and of the problems of financing programs, Allen argued for the necessity of each. His view of what parochial education might become was based on a quote from Neil McCluskey regarding the increasingly ecumenical, bridging role such schools should have. In conclusion, Allen asked for a careful reevaluation of parochial schools so that obviously needed changes might benefit all educational endeavors. (MS)