To accumulate the data necessary for making recommendations for the improvement of middle school reading programs in Massachusetts, such programs were assessed by computer searches, informal interviews, and random questionnaires. "TRANS," Teaching Reading Acquisition Natural to Subject Areas, embodies the kind of program needed to meet the needs of the "transescent" (early adolescent). Such a program should include developmental, accelerated, and remedial reading instruction. The survey often found isolated skills instruction, although content area reading was needed. Accelerated instruction was an infrequent educational objective, developmental reading instruction was most common, while remedial instruction also took place at most of the middle schools assessed. The reading laboratory was the most common setting for all three types of instruction. Recommendations for improving programs and increasing their support include (1) remembering the characteristics of transescents, (2) tapping both reading specialists and subject area educators, (3) promoting a wide range of materials, (4) providing for a variety of learning/teaching modalities, (5) focusing on student and teacher interests, and (6) building a positive attitude toward Massachusetts middle school reading programs. (JL)