A study evaluated the Title I Early Literacy program that served 1,503 underachieving pupils in grades 1 (1,169) and 2 (334) in the Columbus, Ohio, public schools. The purpose of the Early Literacy program was to provide early intervention to underachieving first- and second-grade pupils who appeared unlikely to learn to read successfully without additional reading instruction. The program featured small group instruction each day for 40-45 minutes on reading and writing activities. A major part of the evaluation effort was accomplished through the administration of the Metropolitan Achievement Tests (MAT7, 1992). Administered on a spring-spring test cycle, the test series served as the pretest and posttest for grade 2 pupils. the spring administration to grade 1 pupils in April, 1996 served as the pretest for grade 2. Results indicated that: (1) 70.3% of a treatment group of 944 pupils displayed over time each of 3 strategic processing behaviors (constructing meaning, monitoring reading, and integrating sources of information; (2) 382 (53.4%) grade 1 pupils read 5 or more books at level 8 or above and 146 (64.0%) grade 2 pupils independently read at least 5 books at text reading level 15 or above; (3) in reading comprehension, discontinued pupils (61) gained 0.85 normal curve equivalents (NCEs) and not discontinued pupils (97) lost 7.88 NCEs; and (4) parent involvement information showed that 3,728 contact were made with program teachers. Findings support continuation of the program with consideration given to 7 areas of concern. (Contains 10 figures of data.) (RS)