The two articles in this bulletin treat both the specific facts uncovered by the National Study of High School English Programs (co-sponsored by the University of Illinois and NCTE) and the more general characteristics of successful English programs. Roger K. Applebee relates that, in the 168 schools selected to be studied on the basis of their reputations for excellence in English instruction, literature is emphasized more than all other areas of English, no single teaching method is dominant, 71.8% of the teachers reported undergraduate majors in English, the average teacher load is 130 students, and students depend primarily on sources other than the school library for their outside reading materials. James R. Squire outlines the three primary aspects of the successful English programs: (1) strong, effective leadership of a department chairman and a building principal, (2) an English faculty which includes some outstanding teachers capable of inspiring the efforts of other well-prepared but less remarkable teachers, and (3) an English curriculum designed to meet the needs of all the students and balanced in its emphasis on each of the components of English. (JS)