This report examines data, on English language arts courses, generated by the Illinois Census of Secondary School Course Offerings and Enrollments conducted in l981-82. Data from the 1976-77 course census are also presented to illustrate stability or shifts in course offerings and enrollments. The first half of the document discusses the summary highlights; the English language arts course offerings; the English course offerings and related characteristics; changes and patterns in the English curriculum; goals, policies, findings, and implications; reading and writing; remedial reading and remedial English; gifted education; arts in education; and regulatory problems. The second half of the report contains data concerning the classification of schools studied, as well as the enrollments, length, number, and kinds of English classes offered. Tables of findings accompany the text. (EL)