Reaffirming that all students, regardless of home language or socioeconomic background, can and must have an equal opportunity to excel in reading, this booklet presents 10 recommendations that form the basis of a comprehensive and balanced reading program to help children in California learn to read. Recommendations in the booklet address: (1) implementing a research-based balanced reading program that combines skills development with literature and language-rich activities; (2) providing teachers with diagnostic tools to modify instruction continuously; (3) emphasizing early intervention for children by mid-first grade; (4) establishing clear standards at each grade level; (5) redesigning teacher credential programs; (6) providing a high-quality preschool experience to all children; (7) supplying a large number of high quality, appropriate print and electronic instructional materials; (8) mobilizing all resources to make reading a priority in the elementary grades; (9) working with the entire community to ensure that every child can read; and (10) allocating resources to provide necessary support to teach reading in every public school. A call to action (specific actions for teachers, administrators, local school boards, parents, communities, the California Department of Education, and universities), a sample reading curriculum timeline, and a 38-item selected bibliography are attached. (RS)