Noting the need for action to alleviate the illitaracy which handicaps half of the world's population and 11 percent of America's, it was emphasized (1) that the problem is particularly intense in urban schools where failure rates and nonreaders run from two-thirds to 50 times higher than in other schools; (2) that the percentage of retarded readers among Negroes is twice that of the national average; and (3) that retarded readers are twice as prevalent among boys as among girls. Defects in teaching were related to attendance problems, the inequality of schools, poor methods, and large classes as well as to poor teaching. It was noted that environmental factors often deprive children from exposure to cognitive stimulations such as complex speech patterns and vocabulary and from motivating encouragement and rewards in the school, the home, and the community. Psychophysiological factors listed as detrimental included poor health, sensory defects, intellectual defects, brain injuries, and special reading disabilities. It was concluded that pediatricians can show their concern by promoting maternal and child health programs, health and education programs for the preschool child, and revised school curricula and classroom conditions. Tables and a bibliography are included. (BT)