What Does Lexile Measure?

1. What Does Lexile Measure? Lexile Reader Measure Lexile Test Measure

2. Lexile Reader Measure • Measures student’s reading ability according to the Lexile scale • Higher reader measure=higher level of reading ability • Ranges from oL to 2000L • If student scores at/below 0L, a Beginning Reader (BR) code is earned • Approximately 2 dozen tests can determine Lexile reading level (including Virginia SOLs) • Developed by MetaMetrics Inc (an education measurement company)

3. 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

4. What Else Does Lexile Measure? • Does not measure book’s quality or content • Only measures difficulty of text • Word frequency and sentence length are two strong predictors of a text’s difficulty • Teachers, librarians, parents, and readers need to consider the book’s content, the reader’s interests, and the reader’s age

5. Targeted Reading • If 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

6. Lexile Calculator • Lexile Calculator • Calculate rate at which a student is expected to understand the text • Calculate the reading ability a reader is expected to have in order to understand the text

7. Lexile Book Database • Find a Book With Lexiles • Can find books by level, range, and interest

8. Accelerated Reader and Lexile

9. What is Accelerated Reader? • A competitor of Lexile • 75,000+ schools use AR • Student takes a quiz after completing a book • Teachers and parents get feedback on student’s vocabulary and reading progress • Includes a reading level and an interest level for each book • Students are encouraged to read in their range rather than their level

10. 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

11. Sources • ATOS (Accelerated Reader) • The Lexile Framework for Reading

12. Lexiles and Virginia Schools • In 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.

13. 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.

14. Role of Public Libraries • Librarians 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

15. VDOE Resources • The Virginia Department of Education website has useful information on many Lexile topics including: • Informational web presentations for parents and educators • Link to the Lexile website • Lexile conversion tables for 2008 SOL scores http://www.doe.virginia.gov/info_centers/sol/lexile/index.shtml