Clark Barrow

Paul Stewart

Readability

The Lexile scale is a developmental scale for reading ranging from 200L for beginning readers to above 1700L for advanced text. All Lexile Framework products, tools and services rely on the Lexile measure and scale to match reader and text.

Is it possible to tie grade-level equivalents to Lexile measures?

Because of the many problems associated with grade-level equivalents, there is not a direct translation from a specific Lexile® measure to a specific grade level. Within any classroom, there will be a range of readers and a range of materials to be read. For example, in a fifth-grade classroom there will be some readers who are ahead of the typical reader (about 250L above) and some readers who are behind the typical reader (about 250L below). 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® for Reading is intended to match readers with texts at whatever level the reader is reading.

If a student is an excellent reader, that does not mean he or she will comprehend a text typically found at a higher grade level. Without the necessary background knowledge, the words may 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 (maybe 90 percent). In the classroom, if a teacher is conducting a lesson on the solar system, he or she can recommend supplemental readings at a variety of levels—the weaker readers can read easier texts and the stronger readers can read harder texts. The educational levels displayed on the Lexile map indicate approximately the middle 50 percent of materials found in a typical grade-level classroom (see chart below). For example, the instructional materials typically found in a third-grade classroom range from about 500L to 700L, although many use materials with measures below 500L and above 700L. Numerous studies have also been conducted with large student samples to determine approximate reading levels (about the middle 50 percent of students—the interquartile range) for each grade level (see chart below). Remember, about 50 percent of the students are reading above and below these ranges.

Grade Reader Measures Text Measures

1 Up to 300L 200L to 400L

2 140L to 500L 300L to 500L

3 330L to 700L 500L to 700L

4 445L to 810L 650L to 850L

5 565L to 910L 750L to 950L

6 665L to 1000L 850L to 1050L

7 735L to 1065L 950L to 1075L

8 805L to 1100L 1000L to 1100L

9 855L to 1165L 1050L to 1150L

10 905L to 1195L 1100L to 1200L

11 and 12 940L to 1210L 1100L to 1300L

Notice there is a considerable overlap between the grades. This is typical of student reading levels and materials published in each grade. In addition, the level of support provided during reading instruction and reader motivation impact the reading experience. Students who are interested in reading about a specific topic (and are therefore motivated) are able to read text that is at a higher level than his or her reading level (about 100L above). The real power of The Lexile Framework is in examining reader growth—no matter where the reader is in the development of his or her reading skills. Readers can be matched with texts that they are forecasted to read with 75-percent comprehension. As a reader grows, he or she can be matched with more demanding texts. Furthermore, as the texts become more demanding, the reader grows.