A self-paced reading skills program was designed to boost the reading ability of seventh- and eighth-grade students. The study correlated students' independent reading levels with science grades. Techniques included guided reading, context clues and cloze activities. Over six months, reading levels increased 1 to 5 grade levels; science grades increased only 4.5 percent overall. However, the subject material had progressed from chemistry to physics. (PVD)