What Does Lexile Measure?

Lexile Reader MeasureLexile Test Measure

Lexile Reader MeasureMeasures student’s reading ability according to

the Lexile scaleHigher reader measure=higher level of reading

abilityRanges from oL to 2000LIf student scores at/below 0L, a Beginning

Reader (BR) code is earnedApproximately 2 dozen tests can determine

Lexile reading level (including Virginia SOLs)Developed by MetaMetrics Inc (an education

measurement company)

Lexile Test Measure

Represents a text’s difficulty level according to the Lexile scale

Includes same level as Reader Measure (BR-2000L)

Lower levels indicate easier comprehension

What Else Does Lexile Measure?Does not measure book’s quality or contentOnly measures difficulty of textWord frequency and sentence length are two

strong predictors of a text’s difficultyTeachers, librarians, parents, and readers

need to consider the book’s content, the reader’s interests, and the reader’s age

Targeted ReadingIf a reader has a measure of 1000L, he/she

will probably understand 75% of text at the same level

Targeted Reading Rate: the point at which a reader will comprehend the text enough for understanding, but will still face reading challenges

The reader is not bored by easy text, but is not frustrated by the text

It is recommended that readers select books based upon their range rather than their specific level

Lexile CalculatorLexile CalculatorCalculate rate at which a student is expected

to understand the textCalculate the reading ability a reader is

expected to have in order to understand the text

Lexile Book DatabaseFind a Book With LexilesCan find books by level, range, and interest

Accelerated Reader and Lexile

What is Accelerated Reader?A competitor of Lexile75,000+ schools use ARStudent takes a quiz after completing a bookTeachers and parents get feedback on

student’s vocabulary and reading progressIncludes a reading level and an interest level

for each bookStudents are encouraged to read in their

range rather than their level

How Does AR Differ From Lexile?School Renaissance Institute is an open

system; any norm-referenced reading test can be used

Lexile Framework is a closed standard; in order to match a student to a book, a Lexile reading test must be used

SourcesATOS (Accelerated Reader)The Lexile Framework for Reading

Lexiles and Virginia SchoolsIn October 2008, Governor Timothy Kaine

announced a new initiative to help parents and educators connect children and books.

Governor Kaine, the Virginia Department of Education and MetaMetrics Inc. worked together to provide the Lexile score on SOL reports.

Beginning in spring and summer 2009, students in grades 3-8 taking the SOL reading test will have their Lexile score printed on their test reports.

How will this be used?Educators can assign and suggest reading

that is appropriate to each child’s Lexile level.

Parents can reinforce reading in schools by helping their child pick appropriate books.

The SOL reading test score will have more meaning by being attached to a Lexile score. It will empower parents to help their child improve.

Role of Public LibrariesLibrarians in Virginia can assist parents and

students by helping them to locate the right book in their Lexile range.Inform parents about the Lexile website and

how to use it.There is a popular book list on the Library of

Virginia Extranet site that you can keep handy for quick reference.

http://www.vpl.virginia.gov/youth/Lexile/titles.asp

VDOE ResourcesThe Virginia Department of Education

website has useful information on many Lexile topics including:Informational web presentations for parents

and educatorsLink to the Lexile websiteLexile conversion tables for 2008 SOL scores

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/info_centers/sol/lexile/index.shtml