The overall goal of the sections of Mercer County's Chapter 1 project described in this profile was to provide a low-risk environment for the development of writing, reading, and related language arts skills in first, second, and third grade children. This goal was implemented within the broader sphere of the total school community. Communication, coordination, and involvement within that setting were inherent in the project's success. The project followed a pull-out design wherein students received 45 minutes of daily instruction five times per week. Two unique features in the design were as follow: (1) an underlying belief that the development of reading and writing skills are related, and (2) a parent communication involvement program, called HOME WORKS, designed to meet the specific needs of Chapter 1 children. The program had a significant impact on the writing and reading abilities of children in all grades. "Ripple effects" from the program resulted in more student writing in all grades throughout the school. While both the experimental and control programs were successful, the former, using computers, had a greater impact, resulting in the implementation of primary reading laboratories in the control schools. (LHW)