The Elementary Secondary Education Act Title I Elementary Basic Skills program operated in 72 schools during fiscal year 1973. There were approximately 23,443 identified Title I pupils who received the services of the program. The first major program objective pertains directly to reading comprehension and anticipates a gain of ten school months in a ten-month period (April 1972-April 1973) for between 70-80 percent of all Title I participants. E.S.E.A. Title I kindergarten and grade one pupils, for example, received the Promary Mental Abilities Test, a reading readiness test which was reported in a raw score equivalent to mental age. The Spring 1973 data indicated that almost 69 percent of the kindergarten pupils had a mental age of 5.8 in Verbal Meaning. In terms of growth of the pupils in kindergarten in 1972 and grade one in 1973 who were eligible for Title I based on test scores, almost 48 percent grew ten months and more in mental age in Verbal Meaning. The second primary program objective relates to the ability of the pupils in grades one through four to express themselves in writing. Evaluation of the student's writing was based on pre-established criteria. Data were requested from all Title I elementary schools for Title I pupils by grade. A systematic sampling of students was drawn and their writing was evaluated according to the pre-established criteria. The data examined in relation to specific objectives for the FY 1973 Elementary Basic Skills Program suggest that the program is working toward the total accomplishment of the objectives. Gains were made at each grade level. (Author/JM)