Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston University / The purpose or this study is: 1. To discover and analyze the strengths in silent and oral reading in the intermediate grades. 2. To discover and analyze the needs that are apparent ia silent and oral reading in the intermediate grades. The writer has found during his experience that pupils in the intermediate grades have many reading difficulties. In numerous instances many teachers have had mixed opinions as to the cause for this situation. This has served as a challenge to the writer to make further investigation into the possible cause and solutions.