The Lexile Framework ® for Reading The Lexile Framework for Reading: A Web Session for Georgia Parents Professional Development, MetaMetrics ®, Inc.

Today’s Agenda Georgia’s use of the Lexile Framework Web site Information Where can the Lexile measure be found? Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests Georgia High School Graduations Tests What is the Lexile Framework for Reading? What does it all mean?

Today’s Agenda (continued) Independent reading Improving reading level Preventing summer loss Tools to help Fostering a love of reading Real world reading, real world consequences

The Lexile Framework is NOT: A reading program A test or method of assessment Educational software

What is the Lexile Framework for Reading?

The Lexile Framework for Reading IS: An educational tool that links text and readers under a common metric – the Lexile. A device that allows parents and educators to forecast the level of comprehension a reader may be expected to experience when reading a particular text. A commonly used reading measure: Over 28 million students receive Lexile scores through commercial and state assessments. Over 100,000 books and tens of millions of articles have Lexile measures.

Why Lexiles? Features & Benefits : Match readers to texts using a common scale. Lexile measures use the same scale to measure both reading comprehension and text difficulty.

What is a Lexile? A student’s Lexile measure is her reading level. A book’s Lexile measure is its reading difficulty. an 870L readeran 870L book A Lexile is a measure of both reading comprehension and text difficulty, on the same scale.

The Lexile Scale Lexile measures typically range from below 200 for beginning readers to above 1700 for advanced readers. Lexile text measures below 200L represents beginning-reading material. A student’s Lexile measure of 0L or below is coded BR. BR is a code that stands for Beginning Reading. The Lexile scale can be used to monitor reading growth over time.

Two Underlying Concepts Text Readability Reader Level

Where can I find the Lexile measure? A student’s Lexile measure can be found on the individual student report of the Georgia Criterion- Referenced Test in Reading (CRCT) for grades 1 – 8 and the Georgia High School Test in English Language Arts (GHSGT) for grade 11. More information on a student’s Lexile measure based on the CRCT and GHSGT scale score is available on the Georgia Department of Education’s Web site at:

Where can I find the Lexile measure?

What Does It All Mean? “My child has a measure of _____L.” “What does this mean?”

The Lexile Measure: A Practical Assessment Score Georgia parents can now use their child’s Lexile measure from his or her Criterion-Referenced Test in Reading or the Georgia High School Test in English Language Arts to: find interesting books at his or her reading level foster a lifelong love of reading connect to their local public library help children with school reading A Lexile measure is a number with an L after it, for instance: 880L.

The Lexile Framework: Readers and Books on the Same Scale By matching a child to a book, you can… find multiple resources build confidence track growth encourage more reading

Building Reading Level Matched Text Practice reading skills with text a student can comprehend. A reader strengthens his or her level by reading matched text. As a reader’s level increases, the text level he or she can comprehend increases.

Choosing Books with the Lexile Scale Readers may experience frustration when… a book is 100L+ above their Lexile level. Readers may experience ease when… a book is 100L+ below their Lexile level. Readers may experience growth when… books are within their Lexile range. Targeted text range is 100L below to 50L above the student’s Lexile level.

Using the Lexile Framework to Find Books for Your Child

Go to the free Web site Lexile.com to search for books in your child’s Lexile range

Two Great Ways to Search for Books Look up the Lexile measure of a book, or search a Lexile range. Browse books by subject area and interest, build a reading list, and look up books in your public library.

Use the Lexile Book Database to:Lexile Book Database Determine the Lexile measure of a book (by entering the title, author, or ISBN). Find books related to a topic or theme in a targeted Lexile range through a Keyword Search. Over 100,000 books have Lexile measures

Two Great Ways to Search for Books Look up the Lexile measure of a book, or search a Lexile range. Browse books by subject area and interest, build a reading list, and look up books in your public library.

“Find a Book with Lexiles” site: Great for parents and children to use

Enter Your Reading Level There are 3 ways to enter … 1. A Lexile test score… 2. A Lexile range… 3. A readers’ grade and rating, in case he or she has no Lexile measure

Pick Your Interests:

Finding Books: Targeted Results Add books to your BookBag as you search. Click “Look it up” to see if your public library has the book.

Look Up Books in Your Public Library You can see if the book is in the library closest to you.

Selecting Books: Your Book Bag

Points to Remember: “Should I let my child read a book outside his Lexile range?” Do not prohibit a book just because it falls outside the child’s Lexile range. The Lexile Framework helps make informed choices about books.

Points to Remember: “ Will the Lexile Framework prevent my child from reading about topics in which he is interested?” You don’t always have to stay in your Lexile range. The Lexile Framework can help a reader grow.

Points to Remember: “Can the Lexile Framework help me find materials that are within my child’s Lexile range?” You don’t always have to stay in your Lexile range. Using the Lexile scale can help a reader build skill and confidence.

Points to Remember: “How often should my child read?” Your child should read each day. You can help make this happen.

Reading Habits: Best Practices

Good Reading Habits: Make Reading a Part of Life If a text is relevant to a child’s life, he or she will want to read it, and will find a way to read it. “Hey, would you read that recipe to me while I cook, please?” “ I’m not sure about that. Find an article online to convince me.” “Look, here’s a review in the newspaper of that movie you’ve been wanting to see.”

Good Reading Habits: Discuss What Children Read The analytical skills used in discussion are what your child needs in learning, test-taking, and life! “ If the book were a TV show, which actors would you cast in it?” “ Would you want to visit the setting described in the novel? “If the main character in that story lived next door, would you be friends?”

Why Good Reading Habits are Important: Lexile Measures and Reading in the Workplace Job Level Reader measure (in Lexiles) Wright & Stenner (1999)

Limitations of Lexile Measures: What Lexile Measures Do Not Address Text Characteristics  Age-appropriateness of Content  Text Support  Text Quality Reader Characteristics  Interest and Motivation  Background Knowledge  Reading Context and Purpose

Go to the free Web site Lexile.com to search for books in your child’s Lexile range

References Wright, B.D. & Stenner, A.J. (1999). Lexile perspectives. Popular Measurement, 2,

Contact Information Georgia Department of Education Standards-Based Learning Division: Pamela Smith, Director of Academic Standards and Instructional Services 404- Assessment Division: Melodee Davis, Program Manager, Assessment Research and Development 404 MetaMetrics Inc. Professional Development: Jason Turner Manager, Professional Services The Lexile Framework for Reading Heather Koons Research Associate