The purpose of this study was to determine the reading achievement effects of a school-year-long program of sustained silent reading in a middle school. Students' scores on the Stanford Achievement Test, Ninth Edition across three years (2006, 2007, and 2008) were analyzed to test eleven null hypotheses. A 3 x 3 repeated measures factorial ANOVA showed significant post treatment differences in gains for Total Reading and Reading Comprehension at each of the three grade levels (sixth, seventh, and eighth grades) and for Reading Vocabulary for seventh grade. Pretreatment gains were greater for Reading Vocabulary in sixth and eighth grades. A 3 x 3 x 2 repeated measures mixed factorial ANOVA showed that no significant differences existed between the gains of higher (at or above the 60th percentile) and lower (at or below the 40th percentile) performing students following the treatment. Through interviews, teachers reported the presence of up to eight traits of successful sustained silent reading programs. Results of a univariate ANOVA indicated that student achievement was higher in classrooms characterized by six or more of the traits. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]