In fall 1987, a study was conducted by the Learning Assessment Retention Consortium (LARC) to closely inspect the reading courses and programs currently offered in the California community colleges. All 106 community colleges in the state were surveyed regarding testing instruments used, the number and level of reading courses offered, entry and exit criteria, and course content. Study findings, based on responses from 62 colleges, included the following: (1) the Nelson-Denny Reading Test, Stanford Diagnostic (Blue), and the ASSET test were the tests used most often for course placement; (2) 77% of the reporting colleges offered reading courses at the 0-4th grade level, 84% at the 4th-7th grade level, 98% at the 8th-10 grade level, and 87% at the 10th-12th grade level; (3) 32% of the colleges offered a degree-applicable course in critical/analytical reading; (4) the three major program models were individualized reading programs leading to classroom instruction at higher levels, classroom-lab and individualized instruction spanning all levels, and classroom or classroom-lab only; (5) in all colleges, students were placed in reading courses using standardized reading tests, though initial placement could be refined by reading instructors; (6) vocabulary improvement was treated at all levels of reading instruction; (7) some aspects of reading comprehension were treated in all courses at the 4th grade through college levels; and (8) in the higher level courses, greater focus was placed on critical thinking and analytical skills, while in the middle level courses, study skills, vocabulary, and comprehension were treated and the lowest level courses emphasized phonics and spelling in addition to other skills. The survey instrument is appended. (WJT)