Title VII of the Cooperative Research Act, now the Education Amendments of 1974, makes it possible for preschool age children to get started on basic reading skills early enough that they won't still be reading at the third-grade level when they enter high school. It also assures elementary students that their reading instruction won't be neglected as soon as they learn the alphabet. The Office of Education is working on the Right to Read program in all states, and the focus of these efforts is on the early years, in an attempt to prevent grave reading problems later, and on the elimination of illiteracy. The first move in this direction was the establishment of the Right to Read Office in 1969, which coordinated, observed, and evaluated more than 200 demonstration projects it had funded to test the theories and practices of reading instruction. Title VII has established a National Reading Improvement Program to continue, expand, and follow up work begun by the Right to Read Office. The major emphasis of the new legislation's comprehensive program is on innovative reading projects, state programs, and areas of special emphasis. Information from reading programs like the ones in Chicago and Miami can be disseminated to other agencies. (SW)