A study sought to apply the Navy's Academic Remedial Training (ART) program to illiterate adults by concentrating on intensive reading instruction. Administrators from the City of Memphis selected 16 participants based on employee interest and need. They were primarily middle-aged, black males with four years of education who earned between $14,000 and $18,000 per year. The learners also brought a sense of past failure in school to their classes. The learners participated in the program for 10 days over a period of 2 weeks, spending the whole day in learning activities. The program used a diagnostic-prescriptive approach to reading instruction. Following testing, instructors used methods such as assisted reading, oral and silent reading, small group reading, and mini-lessons. Many reading skills were taught using the "Detecting the Sequence" materials from Barnell Loft, Ltd. and community-based materials such as newspapers. Five volunteers made up the staff; all were veteran teachers or Navy-trained instructors. Standardized instruments, interviews, questionnaires, and observation were used to evaluate the program. Some of the findings were that (1) learners had physiological disorders that interferred with learning; (2) the learners had a short attention span; (3) learning materials must be selected carefully; (4) instructional personnel must foster independence in learners; and (5) adult learners became mutually helpful, gained self-esteem, and expressed a desire for further education. The study concluded that the Reading Improvement Program can be adapted for older civilian learners and that further tests should be made. (KC)