The Initial Teaching Alphabet (i.t.a.), devised by Sir James Pitman as a simplified alphabet for beginning readers, consists of 44 characters plus a set of rules for standard spellings of English words using these characters. The characters and rules are designed to ensure easy transition from i.t.a. to traditional orthography (T.O.). In September 1969 the British Schools Council published a comprehensive review of the use of i.t.a. for the teaching of literacy after nine years of research and experimentation in i.t.a. Research findings show that the unadulterated use of T.O. for beginning reading and writing reduces the potential of average and above average children in the early years of school and actually increases the incidence of reading and writing disabilities. In contrast, i.t.a. enriches the early school experiences of most children and also provides a highly effective preventive measure to guard against reading and writing disorders. For remedial treatment, i.t.a. seems to be most effective when students are exposed to it for the greater part of their working day. These conclusions may now be extended to literacy learning in English when students have some other mother tongue. (JM)