Project SOLID START is an integrated reading program involving regular classroom, special education, and reading teachers, and parent volunteers in the Melrose, Massachusetts public schools. SOLID START supports beginning literacy in a developmental, rather than a remedial, mode. The project tests the hypothesis that a carefully structured, integrated, intensive program that reinforces the regular first grade language arts curriculum will significantly reduce the number of children experiencing delay, difficulty, or failure in first grade. It is also expected that the program will help clarify distinctions between children with special needs and children who are not developmentally ready to meet classroom demands. Any child who appears to teachers to be at risk of inadequate progress in the first week of school is eligible for the program. However, children may enter the program at any time during the school year. Every day, each child received 1.5 hours of small group teaching in reading and writing, with a heavy emphasis on reading. Instruction is guided by encouragement of linguistic prediction, a focus on meaning, graphophonemic observation, and large doses of positive reinforcement. A metacognitive approach helps children become aware of their behaviors and assume control of their learning. In the 3 years of program operation, every child in first grade has learned to read and write. (RH)