An individualized instruction program in which the teacher was able to be more highly involved with 350 students than she was in five conventional classes of 25 students each is described. The success of the Basic Writing Skills course at American River College, Sacramento, California, depends largely on the careful organization of course content, a testing policy in which the student is helped to succeed, and the use of instructional aides, most of whom are unpaid college students. A simple bookkeeping system enables the student to keep track of his progress, grades, and attendance. (CL)