The New England Consortium criteria of excellence are 26 statements of conditions which describe a quality reading program and which must exist if all children are to learn to read. These statements are grouped under five goal areas, the first of which, community and school climate, is treated in this position paper. The paper supports attainment of the following criteria for this goal area: the whole school atmosphere reflects commitment to the importance and enjoyment of reading; the entire community views reading as an important activity in each individual's life; the entire community actively contributes to and supports the school reading program; and the classroom climate reflects respect and support, by both teacher and pupils, for each individual child's progress in reading. (JM)