A nongraded educational program of several learning levels and highly individualized instruction, financed by the district and by Elementary Secondary Education Act Title I funds, the Directed Learning Program is in its third year of operation in the Hempstead, New York school system. The program is the district-wide method of instruction for what were formerly elementary grades one through five and, in some instances, one through six. The district devised the program when it became apparent--as evidenced by test scores--that the existing system was not providing Hempstead children with the best of all possible education. The Directed Learning Program is an exemplary project because the children have made tremendous academic progress and acquired very positive attitudes toward themselves, their ability, and their school experiences. Teachers are also very enthusiastic about the program. The Directed Learning Program could be replicated by other school systems where a traditional approach had been ineffective. Hempstead plans to extend the program to include the middle school (grades six to eight) and eventually the high school. (Author/JM)