Investigations of both printed professional materials for reading teachers and the interaction of reading authorities across the United States have revealed ten current directions and needs in reading instruction. They are: (1) an emphasis on absolute educational accountability with respect to reading skills of students; (2) renewed and pronounced demands for teacher accountability; (3) the use of classroom-tested informal evaluation techniques by classroom teachers; (4) the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for all children; (5) increased attention to the holistic development of reading skills; (6) the development of better methods through which teachers can share information about students' reading abilities; (7) the growing realization that there is no one preferred method for teaching reading to all children; (8) recognition of the need for individualized inservice programs for reading teachers at different ability levels; (9) the need for reading teachers to convey information to the public about positive aspects of current reading programs; and (10) the need for building reading programs that correlate with practical reading requirements that students will face in later life. (A parable is included that demonstrates the need for more than one method of teaching reading.) (GT)