A compendium of reading instructional practices from approximately 1950 through 1970, this compilation of essays supplies a theoretical background of the reading discipline for elementary and secondary school reading instructors. The five articles deal with different aspects of the reading curriculum. "The Basics in the Reading Curriculum" describes the diverse methods used to teach reading, while "Basal Readers, the Pupil, and the Curriculum" discusses some of the strengths and weaknesses inherent in the classroom use of basal readers. "Issues in Designing the Reading Curriculum" examines concepts such as scope and sequence, as well as issues such as deductive versus inductive learning. "Reading in the Content Areas" argues for interesting, meaningful, and purposeful reading material regardless of curriculum area. "Evaluating Progress in Reading" explores evaluation techniques that reading teachers can use to measure student progress, and concludes that reading comprehension appraisal procedures should motivate students to read content which guides each to achieve optimal development in this curriculum area. (NKA)