The reading achievement of two age groups (eleven- and fifteen-year-olds) was surveyed in Northern Ireland's schools during 1976, and the results were compared to those of a similar study in 1972. Two significant findings emerged: an increase in reading standards of eleven-year-olds, and a decrease in severe reading retardation at both age levels. Technical descriptions of the survey results for each age level are provided, as well as appendixes that give age-score equivalents and details of the sampling frame and population estimates for each age group. (RL)