"Developmental growth" and "average" are two concepts that can be recognized in teachers as well as in students. Inservice teacher training programs must be planned to allow for individual abilities and individual growth. A carefully structured program will (1) fit the program to the personnel, (2) extend over a long time period, (3) have instructors who are at different levels of professional competence, (4) provide support and challenge for participants, (5) conduct exemplary meetings and seminars, (6) demonstrate with children, (7) mix teachers from several schools, (8) encourage teacher individuality, and (9) make professional materials available. Local IRA groups can offer such programs even more effectively than colleges because of the time limit and external motivation of an outside institution. One NDEA Reading Institute is described in detail, and excerpts from participant responses are quoted. References are included. (BS)