RITA (Reader's Interactive Teaching Assistant) is a computer-based literacy support system that assists, rather than replaces, the teacher in providing support tailored to each child's profile of reading attainments. This study evaluated the effectiveness of RITA in secondary school with 8 children having very seriously disadvantaged literacy skills. The RITA intervention over a 10-week period led to effective and cost-effective literacy gains. (Contains 40 references.) (AEF)