The Lexile Framework Training Module The Lexile Framework

The Lexile Framework Training Module

The Lexile Framework is a scientific approach to reading measurement that matches readers to text. The Lexile Framework measures both reader ability and text difficulty on the same scale, called the Lexile scale.

What is a Lexile? A Lexile is a unit for measuring text difficulty. The word Lexile is a blend of the root word ”Lex”, which refers to words, and echoes the word “percentile”, a comparative unit of measure. The Lexile Framework is a system of measurement that quickly calibrates the difficulty of most any textual material with a high degree of accuracy.

The Lexile Framework Variables Syntactic Complexity üthe number of words per sentence ülonger sentences are more complex and require more short term memory to process Semantic Difficulty üthe frequency of the words in a corpus of written text ücorpus has over 500 -million words

Syntactic Complexity üThe best predictor of the difficulty of a sentence is its length. üLonger sentences are likely to contain more clauses, and therefore to communicate not only more information and ideas but an interrelationship between them. üLonger sentences require the reader to retain more in short-term memory in order to negotiate meaning.

Semantic Difficulty üThe difficulty of words is a continuum based on exposure. üKnowing the frequency of words provides the best means of inferring whether a word will become a part of an individual’s vocabulary.

Lexile Measures üSRI Test results are reported in Lexiles üThe Lexile Number indicates 75% comprehension üBooks have Lexile Measures üMatch students and books, and plan instruction with Lexile Ranges

Use Lexiles To: ü To promote reading progress ü To assign the right level of reading materials in all curricular areas ü As a flexible part of any reading program üConnect students to tens of thousands of books üConnect students to tens of millions of articles

The Lexile Map üAn educational tool that links text and readers under a common metric, Lexiles üCharacterizes reader with a measure and text with a measure üAllows educators to forecast the level of comprehension a reader is expected to experience with a particular text

The Lexile Map

Classroom Uses üDevelop individualized reading lists üEnhance thematic teaching üUse as a tool for sequencing materials üDevelop a take home reading folder üAdjust level of reading for special circumstances üAssist in informed choice making for students

Lexile Facts üOver 450 book publishers have titles with Lexile measures üNearly 50, 000 books to search at www. lexile. com üOver 70 million Lexiled articles through database-services partners

The Lexile Calculator Forecasted Comprehension ü The relationship between a reader and a text. ü How well the reader will comprehend the material in the text. Can perform the following calculations ü The rate at which a student is expected to comprehend of the text. üThe reading ability a reader is expected to need in order to comprehend the text at a specific level.

The Lexile Calculator

Forecasted Comprehension Rates üReader measure – text calibration = +250 Lexiles, 90% comprehension üReader measure – text calibration = O Lexiles, 75% comprehension üReader measure – text calibration = 250 Lexiles, 50% comprehension

Lexiles give educators the confidence to choose materials that will improve student reading skills across the curriculum and at home.