The Draft of the Second Chinese Character Simplification Scheme proposed by the Chinese Committee on Language Reform, published in 1977, is discussed. The political history of the draft and current uncertainty about character simplification are examined, and a rigorous methodology for determining the success rate of a script reform is proposed. This evaluation procedure would take into account three factors: the popularity, stability, and degree of change made. Popularity would be determined by a survey of the literate in all walks of life across China. The stability ratio would be determined by comparing: (1) the stability duration (the interval between the current date and date of last standardization); and (2) a stability constant (twice the number of years required to complete a secondary education). The change factor is the ratio of modified scripts to the total number of common characters. (MSE)