Reading is the most basic of skills. Reading provides access to other skills and knowledge, facilitates life-long learning, and opens doors to opportunity. The National Institute for Literacy is authorized by the U.S. Congress to collect and disseminate information on the components of reading and the findings from scientific research. The National Center for Family Literacy fully endorses the national emphasis on reading and the efforts to promote scientifically based reading instruction for children and adults. This resource is offered for adult education teachers who want to build and strengthen adults' reading skills. Adult education instructors in family literacy, Adult Basic Education, and other basic skills programs will find it useful. This book aims first to build background knowledge about reading and scientifically based reading instruction. The language and format are "teacher friendly," using student and classroom illustrations and sample instructional activities to make research principles concrete for readers. The focus in applying the research is on modeling thinking, planning, and problem solving in the context of fictional adult education settings. A glossary is also included. Appended are: (1) Educational Research Design: Testing for Effectiveness; (2) The Content of Phonics Instruction; (3) Options for Calculating Readability; and (4) A Rule-Based Procedure for Summarization. [The contents of this report were developed using funds transferred from the National Institute for Literacy to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and awarded as a grant to the National Center for Family Literacy.]