The papers and other materials in this volume are an outgrowth of a conference held in Philadelphia in April 1975. Directors of Reading from six major Eastern urban centers presented information on exemplary reading practices and programs within their cities. The first paper discusses the Comprehensive Instruction Program and the Atlanta Right-to-Read Program. The second paper discusses a prescription for teacher preparation in reading instruction, including assessment, classroom management and instruction, and teaching reading in the content areas. The third paper discusses the reading program of the Boston public schools. The fourth paper discusses reading experiments and activities in the New York City Public Schools. The fifth paper concerns reading instruction in the Philadelphia public schools with implications for teacher education. The sixth paper discusses inservice education and experience exchange. The final section of this volume contains critiques of various workshops held at the conference. (TS)