A study compared the average reading ability levels of freshmen enrolled at an open-door community college with the readability levels of eight content area textbooks used in courses at the institution. Subjects, 100 students enrolled in reading courses, were randomly selected and administered the Nelson-Denny Reading Test to determine reading ability. Readability levels of the content area textbooks were calculated using the Fry Readability Formula and Graph. Results indicated that the readability levels of the eight textbooks were above the mean reading score of the students tested. Findings suggested that the students would experience difficulty with their texts and would need teacher assistance as they read. Findings also suggested that reading strategies--such as SQ3R, reading with a definite purpose, and asking questions while reading--should be taught, and that guided reading lessons should be tried. In addition, developmental reading courses, especially those that include textbook reading techniques, should be continued. (Tables of data and references are attached.) (NKA)