This handbook, a companion to the revised vision of the "Standards for Reading Professionals" (1998), published by the International Reading Association (IRA), provides vital information to those preparing programs for any or all of the three kinds of reading professionals: reading specialists, reading coordinators (including consultants and supervisors), and teacher educators. The 1998 "Standards" contains useful information about the knowledge base in reading education, role descriptions of reading professionals, and a matrix of competencies. The handbook first provides information about the accreditation organizations, and about the development of the handbook by the IRA. The handbook's chapters are: (1) Getting Started; (2) Working Matrix for Reading Professionals; and (3) The Four Parts of a Program in More Detail. Appendixes then offer the following: suggestions for meeting selected competencies; program cover sheet; program information sheet; professional associations' response to institutional program; rejoinder cover sheet; 5-year review cover sheet; professional association's response to 5-year review; review of state program standards; and the IRA Code of Ethics. (NKA)