A revision of a 1992 publication, this booklet presents standards intended to assist in the establishment and evaluation of programs of teacher preparation, to guide the assessment of the qualifications of literacy professionals, and to inform private and state agencies, policymakers, and the general public as they shape literacy instruction now and in the future. The booklet presents three sets of proficiencies for 10 professional roles; in Appendix C, standards for the role of the paraprofessional are also delineated. According to the booklet, the first set of proficiencies, Knowledge and Beliefs about Reading, delineates the underlying principles and knowledge for the second and third sets--Instruction and Assessment, and Organizing and Enhancing a Reading Program. The booklet states that the first set of standards deals with what reading professionals and paraprofessionals need to know, while the second and third sets deal with what they are "able to do." It also presents a matrix of competencies and proficiency levels for the various categories of literacy practitioners. The booklet describes what reading professionals should know about the literacy process and the teaching proficiencies they should possess to effectively apply that knowledge to the development of literacy in individuals of all ages and levels. Appendixes contain approximately 140 suggested readings; 18 related websites; competencies for the paraprofessional; a list of the 9 conferences where the standards were reviewed; and the International Reading Association's Code of Ethics. (NKA)