The 1986 and 1988 Reading Objectives Assessment of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reflects a consensus of opinion about the processes of reading for grades 4, 8, and 12. The objectives are based on an interpretation of reading as an interactive process between the reader, the reader's purposes and previous experiences, the material being read, and the context in which the reading occurs. The objectives outlined here are: (1) comprehending, including comprehending material read for a particular purpose; (2) extending comprehension, including analyzing interpreting and evaluating what has been read; (3) managing the reading experience, including using the structure and organization of the text, using readers' aids (e.g., heading, subheadings, graphs, charts, etc.), showing flexibility of reading style for different purposes, and selecting reading materials appropriate to the purpose; and (4) valuing reading, for enjoyment, to improve understanding and fulfill personal goals, to acquire knowledge and skills, and to appreciate the cultural role of written language. The booklet also includes a section of suggested instructional strategies for teaching reading; a description of NAEP's reading proficiency scale, developed in 1984; and a list of the individuals on the Learning Area Committees who developed the reading objectives for the 1986 and 1988 assessments. (JGL)