In response to the concern that the reading needs of students at Mt. San Antonio College (California) were not being met, this study reviewed the research on reading in three areas: (1) the connection between instruction of both reading and writing; (2) the preferred instrument for the assessment of reading for placement; and (3) the recommended response for reading coursework. The results of the research suggest that reading instruction is an important instructional component in the college environment, that Degrees of Reading Power (DRP) best meets the requirements for a reading placement instrument, and that a reading program of three courses to be taught in the Learning Assistance Center is the preferred response to meeting the coursework demands. The study is divided into three major sections: (1) the reading-writing connection; (2) reading assessment, particularly regarding standardized, multiple choice, cloze and vocabulary tests, including current standardized tests on the market and recommendations; and (3) reading course response, with recommendations. Included are names of tests and their attributes, as well as figures on reading placement instruments used at various other California community colleges. (Contains 40 references.) (AS)