The continuing theme of these conferences is: "Reading, the Process of Creating Meaning for Sensed Stimuli." The special theme of this 1983 anniversary conference is: "Reading Reading: 50th Anniversary Perspectives." The proceedings in this yearbook reflect the retrospective and prospective emphasis of the special theme. Following an introduction, the 27 articles discuss a variety of reading-related topics, including the following: (1) language, cognitive development, and reading behavior; (2) research and the improvement of reading; (3) the concept of structure and learning to spell; (4) the alternative to progressive education and mastery learning practices; (5) a cultural perspective on the teaching of reading; (6) reading Newbery Award winners; (7) the language experience approach and individualized reading; (8) the effects of a single-task as opposed to a multi-task approach to literacy; (9) a child's search for meaning in reading, thinking, and play; (10) redefining learning disabilities; (11) reading instruction from a special education perspective; (12) spelling, language experience, and the learning disabled; (13) oral and written language differences and becoming literate; and (14) the past and future of reading comprehension instruction. The volume concludes with notes on the conference contributors and an index to previous conference yearbooks from 1936 to 1982. (HTH)