The Cluster Program, funded under Title I of the 1965 Elementary Secondary Education Act, is a two year mini-school designed for 150 ninth year and 150 tenth year students in ten classes of 30 students each. Students are admitted to the Cluster Program on the basis of being two years or more behind in reading and mathematics skills. The major focus is on rapid improvement of these skills. Each term is divided into four phases of approximately four weeks each. Two weeks prior to the beginning of a new phase, teachers submit descriptions of the courses which they will offer. These are combined into course catalogues containing 60 to 70 offerings. While basic requirements must be met, courses are largely elective. Programming is individualized and accomplished manually through the use of course cards to limit and balance registration. Reports issued at the end of each phase indicate student progress according to a "mastery,""pass,""incomplete," or "no credit" code. The focus has been upon getting students to complete tasks and not to compete for grades. Many courses have contracts drawn up between the teacher and the individual student for this purpose. (Author/JM)