The reading preparation program at Illinois State University represents a fundamental shift in the instructional focus for preservice preparation of secondary level teachers. The competency-based program in reading is largely self-directed and self-paced. Large groups of students are assigned to an instructional team, and the faculty provides non-required classes on a rotating basis four days a week and are available for individual instruction. Eighteen learning packages contain (1) instructional objectives which state behaviorally what is expected of the student, (2) questions to be answered to guide the student through learning activities, (3) required learning activities which consist of readings, audiovisual materials, and exercises to help the student reach the instructional objectives, (4) optional learning activities which provide supplementary materials for students who have difficulty with required materials, and (5) evaluation materials such as objective tests and other exercises for evaluating the students' progress. One unique feature of the program is the Learning Lab in which a student listens to taped learning material at a rate he controls. Success or non-success in the program is based upon the individual attainment of proficiency over specified instructional objectives. (AL)