The Lexile Framework for Reading is a scientific approach to measuring reading ability and the text demand of reading materials. The Lexile Framework involves a scale for measuring both reading ability of an individual and the text complexity of materials he or she encounters. The Lexile scale is like a thermometer, except rather than measuring temperature, the Lexile Framework measures a text’s complexity and a reader’s skill level.
The Lexile Framework assesses both sides of reading development— the reader and the material being read. The Lexile reader measure describes the reading ability of an individual. The Lexile test measure describes the level of the reading material. Over 65 popular reading assessments and programs report student reading ability as a Lexile measure. The Lexile text measure describes the semantic and syntactic features of a book, article or text. Over 100 million books, articles and websites have received Lexile text measures. Both Lexile reader measures and Lexile text measures are reported on the Lexile scale and are represented by a number followed by the letter “L” (i.e. 1000L).
Lexile measures are not grade equivalents. The Lexile measure represents a student's level on a developmental scale of reading ability—the Lexile scale. In contrast, a grade equivalent represents a student's ability level in comparison to students who were in the specific test's norming group. The Lexile measure can be used to identify material at the appropriate difficulty level for the student regardless of the student's grade level.
Sometimes a Lexile measure by itself is not enough information to choose a particular book for a particular reader. This is why some books get Lexile codes—two-letter designations that appear before the Lexile measure. The Lexile codes are: AD: Adult Directed, NC: Non-Conforming, HL: High-Low, IG: Illustrated Guide, GN: Graphic Novel, BR: Beginning Reader and NP: Non-Prose.
When your child has a reading assessment and received a Lexile measure, it is easy to find reading material that is appropriate for him or her. You can simply search for ‘Lexile book finder’ on the internet and many sites will be available to help you. Popular children’s book distributers like Scholastic also have Lexile book finders as well as your local library’s web page. Using your Lexile number is a great way to get your child to want to read by finding a text that is at an appropriate reading level and about a subject your child is interested in.