lexile

The Lexile Framework is made up of Lexile reader measures and Lexile text measures, both of which are put on the Lexile scale.

The Lexile scale runs from BR300 (Lexile) to above 2000L, though there is not an explicit bottom or top to the scale.White, S. & Clement,J.{{cite web|url=http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2001/200108.pdf |title=Assessing the Lexile Framework: Results of a Panel Meeting |date=August 2001 |publisher=U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistic}} Scores 0L and below are reported as BR (Beginning Reader). These books or students may be coded as Lexile: BR. In some cases, a student will receive a BR code followed by a number (e.g. Lexile: BR150L). A measure of BR150L indicates that the Lexile measure is 150 units below 0L.{{cite web |url=https://lexile.com/about-lexile/lexile-codes/] |title=The Lexile Framework for Reading: Lexile Codes |website=Lexile.com }}

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A Lexile measure is defined as "the numeric representation of an individual's reading ability or a text's readability (or difficulty), followed by an 'L' (Lexile)".{{cite web |url=http://lexile.com/m/uploads/dibels/LinkingDIBELSORF-LexileFramework.pdf |title=Linking DIBELS Oral Reading Fluency with The Lexile Framework for Reading |accessdate=2010-02-08 |publisher=MetaMetrics |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917093355/https://www.lexile.com/m/uploads/dibels/LinkingDIBELSORF-LexileFramework.pdf |archivedate=2012-09-17 }} There are two types of Lexile measures: Lexile reader measures and Lexile text measures. Reader measures are assigned to individuals based on their reading comprehension for a piece of text. Text measures are assigned to a piece of text based on the text's vocabulary and syntax. According to MetaMetrics, text measures are evaluated through the "Lexile Analyzer", a computer program that assigns a score based on vocabulary and syntax.{{Cite web |date=December 2021 |title=Text Preparation Guide |url=https://hubsupport.lexile.com/Images/Lexile%20Analyzer%20Text%20Preparation%20Guide.pdf |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=Lexile |publisher=MetaMetrics}} MetaMetrics states that over 150 publishers, including Capstone Publishers,{{cite web|url=http://www.capstonepub.com/aspx/press.aspx?EntityKey=09April15 |title=News – Capstone |publisher=Capstonepub.com |date=2009-04-15 |accessdate=2013-11-07}} Discovery Ed, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, McGraw-Hill, Pearson PLC, Riverside Publishing, Scholastic Corporation, Simon & Schuster,{{cite web|last=Andriani |first=Lynn |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/2495-metametrics-providing-lexile-measures-for-simon-amp-schuster.html |title=MetaMetrics Providing Lexile Measures for Simon & Schuster |publisher=Publishersweekly.com |date=2009-08-10 |accessdate=2013-11-07}} Workman Publishing Company,{{cite web|url=http://www.lexile.com/newsevents/2008-press-releases/workman-publishing-adopts-lexile-measures|title=Workman Publishing Adopts Lexile Measures|accessdate=March 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111233142/http://www.lexile.com/newsevents/2008-press-releases/workman-publishing-adopts-lexile-measures/ |archivedate=January 11, 2010 }} and World Book,{{cite web|url=http://www.internetatschools.com/Articles/News/Breaking-News/World-Book-Adds-Lexile-Measures-to-World-Book-Web-Articles-66811.aspx |title=World Book Adds Lexile Measures to World Book Web Articles – Internet@Schools Magazine |publisher=Internetatschools.com |date=2010-04-23 |accessdate=2013-11-07}} offer certified Lexile text measures for their materials.{{cite web|url=http://www.lexile.com/about-lexile/how-to-get-lexile-measures/text-measure/publishers/who-else-is-doing-it/ |title=Who Are Our Publisher Partners |publisher=Lexile.com |accessdate=2014-05-20}}

According to MetaMetrics, Lexile text measures can assist in selecting appropriately challenging materials for readers.{{cite web |author1=Colleen Lennon |author2=Hal Burdick |title=The Lexile Framework as an Approach for Reading Measurement and Success |url=https://cdn.lexile.com/m/uploads/whitepapers/Lexile-Reading-Measurement-and-Success-0504_MetaMetricsWhitepaper.pdf |access-date=4 October 2024 |page=4 |language=English}}

Some books receive Lexile codes—two-letter designations that appear before the Lexile measure—to provide additional context about developmental appropriateness, reading difficulty, and intended use. BR is the only code that applies to both readers and text.

The Lexile framework was created in 1989 by MetaMetrics. From 1984 to 1996, MetaMetrics received funding through five grants from Small Business Innovation Research, obtained through the National Institutes of Health, to develop a measurement system for reading and writing.{{cite web |author=Webster, L. |date=Spring 2000 |title=Jack Stenner: The Lexile King |url=http://www.rasch.org/pm/pm3-12.pdf |publisher=Popular Measurement}}{{cite web |url=http://www.metametricsinc.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?view=mm&tabindex=1&tabid=66&tabpageid=470 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061217001122/http://www.metametricsinc.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?view=mm&tabindex=1&tabid=66&tabpageid=470 |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 December 2006 |title=Management |accessdate=10 February 2010 |publisher=MetaMetrics }}
Smith, D.R., Stenner, A.J., Horabin, I., & Smith, M.(1989). The Lexile Scale in Theory and Practice. Final report for NIH grant HD-19448

The measurement ideas embedded in the Lexile framework can be found in two 1982–83 articles by Stenner and Smith.Stenner, A. J. & Smith, M. (1982).{{cite web |url=http://www.lexile.com/m/resources/materials/Stenner__Smith-_Testing_Construct_Theories.pdf |title=Testing Construct Theories |publisher=Perceptual and Motor Skills |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103114804/http://lexile.com/m/resources/materials/Stenner__Smith-_Testing_Construct_Theories.pdf |archivedate=2010-01-03 }}
Stenner, A. J., Smith, M., & Burdick, D. S.(1983){{cite web |url=http://www.lexile.com/m/resources/materials/Stenner_Smith_Burdick-_Toward_a_theory_of_construct_definition.pdf |title=Toward a Theory of Construct Definition |publisher=Journal of Educational Measurement |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103114654/http://lexile.com/m/resources/materials/Stenner_Smith_Burdick-_Toward_a_theory_of_construct_definition.pdf |archivedate=2010-01-03 }}

In Mesmer's Tools for Matching Readers to Texts: Research Based Practices, a 2006 study by Walpole et al. is described,{{cite journal|author= Walpole, S., Hayes, L., and Robnolt, V. |year =2006|title= Matching second graders to text:The utility of a group-administered comprehension measure|journal= Reading Research and Instruction| volume = 46| issue = 1|doi=10.1080/19388070609558458|pages=1–22|s2cid =143121709}} in which 47 second-graders were assigned texts based on their Lexile scores. The study found that the students could read texts at their assigned Lexile scores (93%), but also noted that 43% of the sampled books were below a basic standard for 2nd grade. Mesmer concludes that "Lexile scores and book levels may not help teachers in finding books that can be read fluently" and lists the cost of using the Lexile inventory tools as a disadvantage.{{cite book |last=Mesmer|first=Heidi Anne E|date=2008|title=Tools for Matching Readers to Text: Research Based Practices|url=https://archive.org/details/toolsformatching0000mesm/page/52/mode/2up|url-status= |location= |publisher=Guilford Press|isbn= |archive-url= |archive-date=}}

In 2001, the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) published a review of Lexile measures, concluding that the framework is an improvement over traditional reading measures, while also noting the omission of factors such as reader motivation, interest, and knowledge. The review affirmed the value of sentence length and word frequency as measures of complexity but also stated that these metrics are an estimated correlate of readability. The NCES concluded that while other work on text metrics may be more useful, Lexile scores are easier to analyze.

In 2001, Stephen Krashen published an article arguing that the Lexile Framework was potentially harmful in limiting students' reading choices and that the resources spent on it might be better spent on books.{{cite web|url=http://sdkrashen.com/content/articles/lexile_framework.pdf |title=The Lexile Framework: Unnecessary and Potentially Harmful –Page 1 |date= |accessdate=2014-02-16}}

In a paper titled "Interpreting Lexiles in Online Contexts and with Informational Texts", Elfrieda H. Hiebert concluded that the variability of Lexile scores within the same text can be extensive and that slight changes in punctuation can result in "significant reclassification" on the Lexile scale.{{cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242114570|title=Interpreting Lexiles in Online Contexts and with Informational Texts|publisher=Apexlearning.com|accessdate=2024-10-08}}

U.S. Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts states that Lexile scores can be used to help determine text complexity levels for students. The standards also note that quantitative methods like Lexile may underestimate the challenges of complex narrative fiction and that qualitative measures should be prioritized for students in grade 6 and above.

More examples are available [https://hub.lexile.com/find-a-book/ here].{{cite web|url=http://cdn.lexile.com/m/cms_page_media/135/Lexile%20Map_8.5x11_FINAL_Updated_May_2013%20(4).pdf |title=The Lexile Framework for Reading Map |publisher=Lexile.com |accessdate=2014-06-13}}

Lexile measures are reported by various reading assessments and programs.{{cite web|url=http://www.lexile.com/readingassessments |title=How To Get A Lexile Measure |accessdate=10 February 2010}}

Source:{{cite web|url=http://lexile.com/about-lexile/How-to-get-lexile-measures/ |title=How to get a Lexile Measure |publisher=Lexile.com |date= |accessdate=2013-11-07}}

State assessments{{cite web |url=http://www.lexile.com/about-lexile/How-to-get-lexile-measures/states/ |title=State Assessments |publisher=Lexile.com |accessdate=2013-11-07 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120905143257/http://www.lexile.com/about-lexile/How-to-get-lexile-measures/states/ |archivedate=2012-09-05 }}

• Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS)
• California English-Language Arts Standards Test
• Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System
• Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading (FAIR)
• Georgia Georgia Milestones and the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GM and GHSGT)
• Hawaii State Assessment
• Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT)
• Kansas State Assessments of Reading
• Kentucky Core Curriculum Test (KCCT)
• Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)
• New Mexico Standards-Based Assessment (SBA)
• North Carolina End-of-Grade and English I End-of-Course (NCEOG and NCEOC)
• Oklahoma Core Curriculum Test (OCCT)
• Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS)
• South Carolina Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS)
• South Dakota State Test of Educational Progress (DSTEP)
• Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) Achievement Test
• Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS)
• Virginia Standards of Learning Tests (SOL)
• West Virginia WESTEST 2
• Proficiency Assessments for Wyoming Students (PAWS)

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