Research has shown that reading ability is positively correlated with the extent to which students read recreationally. Educators are increasingly encouraging their students to read and write on their own, outside of school. Changes in the frequency with which students (in grades 4, 8, and 11 in studies conducted from 1984 through 1994) read and write independently, as well as in the types of materials students read and write, indicate the degree to which recreation activities related to education are supported outside of the classroom. (Contains two tables, two graphs, and two bar graphs of data.) (RS)