The Western Institute for Science and Technology, operating since 1968, has had as its objective taking certain of the most promising of the techniques emerging from educational research, combining them, and testing their validity by implementing them in selected school situations. Vanguard, the instructional model which has emerged from this reality testing, effectively coordinates three proven techniques within a highly structured context. First, Vanguard stresses individual diagnosis and continuous progress learning based on demonstrated mastery. Second, Vanguard makes systematic use of incentives. Third, student tutors are used as an integral part of the in-school instructional function, in contrast to more common remedial tutorial programs. Although Vanguard methods have been applied at all levels ranging from preschool to college, and with student populations from disadvantaged to affluent, the focus of this paper is on preschool efforts. To date, a total of six projects have been carried out in three different locations designed for extremely disadvantaged preschool populations. The reading readiness programs at the Marlin Neighborhood Center, Marlin, Texas, provide a good example. In November 1971, 29 five year old children were enrolled in a demonstration project. The specific behavioral goal was to raise their scores on the Metropolitan Reading Readiness Test. This goal was abundantly realized. (Author/JM)