The ten chapters in this collection are intended to be a starting point for those interested in teaching children and adults to read more effectively. Each chapter treats an age, school level, or special population and provides three kinds of information: the current state of reading instruction for that group, what it should be, and recommendations for change. The individual chapters discuss preelementary school reading; reading instruction in the early elementary years; reading in the intermediate/middle school; secondary school reading programs; college and adult reading; adult functional literacy; literacy for special populations, specifically non-English speakers; reading handicaps; reading and the handicapped learner; and reading and the gifted. (FL)