What is the Lexile scale?
The Lexile scale is a developmental scale. There is not an explicit bottom or top to the Lexile scale, but rather two anchor points that describe different levels of reading comprehension – beginning readers and beginning-reading text to more advanced readers and text.
The Lexile scale is a valuable tool for parents because it allows you to track your child’s progress over time. For example, books like “Arthur and the Recess Rookie” (370L), “Arthur Goes to Camp” (380L) and “Arthur, Clean Your Room!” (370L) fall within the Lexile range of a typical second grader. These books have shorter sentences and words appear frequently. Conversely, books in the “Harry Potter” series (which range from 880L to 1060L), “Little Women” (1300L) and “Don Quixote” (1410L) contain longer sentences and more complex words.
What does a Lexile measure tell me about what my child can read?
When Lexile reader measures and Lexile text measures match, the reader is “targeted.” This is the basis for selecting text that is targeted to a child’s reading ability and goals. Targeted readers report competence, confidence and control over the text. When a Lexile text measure is greater than a Lexile reader measure, comprehension drops dramatically, and the subjective experience
When a Lexile reader measure exceeds a Lexile text measure, comprehension goes up dramatically, and the reader experiences total control and automaticity.
The Lexile Framework for Reading is a useful tool in designing and managing successful reading experiences for developing readers. The Lexile Framework is not a panacea, and is not the only important consideration. The child’s interests, parental views on what constitutes age-appropriate material and teacher’s instructional aims are also vital issues in managing a reader’s growth. It is important to remember that a child’s Lexile measure isn’t a measure of his or her intelligence. The Lexile Framework is designed to match a student’s reading ability (wherever it falls on the Lexile scale) with a text’s readability (likewise, wherever it falls on the Lexile scale) for optimal reading success and enjoyment.
How do I find books that will help my child?
“Find a Book” (on Lexile.com) is the quickest and easiest way to search the Lexile Book Database for titles at your child’s Lexile level. Whether your child is reading for school or for pleasure, this free utility will help you build a custom reading list on the subjects that interest your son or daughter the most. We recommend that you use a Lexile range that spans 100L
below to 50L above your child’s Lexile measure to help ensure that he or she has a successful reading experience (e.g., if your child is an 880L reader, use a Lexile range that spans from 780L to 930L). In addition, most public libraries have access to Follett, EBSCO and Bigchalk, which you can use to search for article abstracts with Lexile measures. The key is to get your child reading. The Lexile Framework can help you locate books, articles and other texts that he or she is able to read and is interested in reading.
How do grade levels and Lexile levels relate?
Lexile levels do not translate specifically to grade levels. Within any classroom, there will be a range of readers and a range of materials to be read. In a fifth-grade classroom, for example, there will be some readers who are far ahead of the rest and there will be some readers who are far below the rest. To say that some books are “just right” for fifth graders assumes that all fifth graders are reading at the same level. The Lexile Framework matches readers with texts at whatever Lexile level the reader is reading. Just because a student is an excellent reader does not mean that he or she would comprehend a text typically found at a higher-grade level. Without the background knowledge, the words would not have much meaning. A high Lexile measure for a grade indicates that the student can read grade-level appropriate materials at a higher comprehension level. In the classroom, if a teacher is doing a lesson on the solar system, he or she can suggest additional readings at a variety of Lexile levels. Therefore, each child can read additional books, and both below-grade and above-grade readers can find appropriately challenging material.
What types of materials have been given a Lexile measure? Will more be added?
Many different types of materials have been assigned a Lexile measure. The Lexile Book Database comprises more than 115,000 fiction and nonfiction titles with Lexile measures, and this number continues to grow. The best way to search the Lexile Book Database is with “Find a Book.” This free utility allows you to build custom reading lists based on your child’s Lexile measure/Lexile range and personal interests. ”Find a Book” also includes a link to WorldCat so that you can check a book’s availability at your local public library, and stores where you can purchase the book. Metametrics has put out an AR/Lexile conversion chart available on this site and in the WES Media Center. This will help students find books that correlate with their AR level.