THE ROLE OF COMMITTEES DEVOTED TO THE IMPROVEMENT AND COORDINATION OF READING INSTRUCTION IS BEING DEFINED AS READING COMMITTEES ARE CREATED IN MANY SCHOOLS. AMONG THE FUNCTIONS OF A READING COMMITTEE ARE THE FOLLOWING--(1) TO EMPHASIZE THE WHOLE-SCHOOL NATURE OF THE READING PROGRAM, (2) TO INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF READING PERSONNEL, (3) TO PROVIDE CHANNELS FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF IDEAS, PRACTICES, AND TECHNIQUES, (4) TO AID INSERVICE WORK IN ALL GRADES, AND (5) TO EXPEDITE DOING WHAT HAS TO BE DONE. THE STRENGTH OF A READING COMMITTEE DEPENDS ON ITS REPRESENTATION--CLASSROOM TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS, SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL, READING-RELATED SERVICES PERSONNEL, AND LAYMEN FROM THE COMMUNITY. A WIDE REPRESENTATION IS ADVISABLE AND COULD BE ORGANIZED BY GRADE LEVELS, BY PRIMARY-INTERMEDIATE AND JUNIOR HIGH-SENIOR HIGH DIVISIONS, AND BY ADMINISTRATIVE OR DEPARTMENTAL DIVISIONS. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ADVISORY COUNCIL TO SERVE AS THE PLANNING COMMITTEE IS RECOMMENDED. THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED AT THE INTERNATIONAL READING ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE (SEATTLE, MAY 4-6, 1967). (NS)