This report presents the reports of the subgroups of the National Reading Panel, charged by Congress to assess the status of research-based knowledge, including the effectiveness of various approaches to teaching children to read. Each of the chapters 2 through 6 contains its own executive summary and appendixes in addition to the report of the subgroup. Chapter 1, Introduction and Methodology, discusses the processes applied to the selection, review, and analysis of research relevant to reading instruction. Chapter 2, Alphabetics, contains sections on phonemic awareness instruction and phonics instruction. Chapter 3 addresses reading fluency. Chapter 4 addresses comprehension (containing sections on vocabulary instruction, text comprehension instruction, and teacher preparation and comprehension strategies instruction). Chapter 5 presents the report of the subgroup on teacher education and reading instruction. Chapter 6 addresses computer technology and reading instruction. The report concludes with a minority view that argues the report of the panel neither responds to its charge nor meets the needs of America's schools. (RS)