The reading assessment undertaken by the Department of Public Instruction in May 1973 was a pilot study. As such its primary purpose was to provide information for future assessment instruments, administration procedures, sampling procedures, and data analysis alternatives. Thus, this document contains a critical examination of the pilot procedures as well as item by item report of the results of the first testing program and interpretive statements about the results. General comments are made pertaining to strengths and weaknesses of the instrument, and where pertinent, examples of specific items are discussed. The report considers sampling procedures, implications, and suggestions for future assessment. The data analysis chapters reproduce all the actual items (in miniature) with evaluative comments on item validity, readability, domains, and objectives. (Author)