The primary purpose of this study was to provide a partial basis for business education teachers to give relevance and direction to individual student learning by developing and improving student reading and study skills. The professional literature from the past fifteen years that dealt with reading and study skills improvement of students in secondary schools was gathered through examination of research reports and professional writings. Topics for discussion were selected after examining the recommendations given by reading experts for the topics important to instruction of reading skills in content area courses. In the skill courses, development of certain reading abilities should assist the student in understanding and handling the course materials. In bookkeeping, the teacher should focus upon vocabulary instruction, assessment of the readability of the reading materials, techniques for interpreting the content of the reading materials, and instruction in the proper use of the textbook. In typewriting and shorthand, the teacher should develop the student's ability to follow directions, vary his rate of reading, understand and read copy, understand and use business terminology, and use word recognition skills. (Author/WR)