Lexile Measures - Frequently Asked Questions
Using Lexile® measures to help students “Find a Book” this summer
You can help your son or daughter find books in a Lexile range that match his or her interests. The following information will help you pick the titles that best support your child’s reading ability and goals.
What is a Lexile measure?
A Lexile measure indicates the reading level of an individual or a book. By comparing your child’s Lexile measure with the Lexile measure of a book, you can decide whether its text demand will be too difficult, too easy or just right for your child’s reading ability. To best strengthen his or her reading skills, your child should read books within his or her Lexile range.
What is your child’s recommended Lexile range?
Your child’s Lexile range spans from 100L below to 50L above his or her Lexile measure. When your son or daughter reads within his or her Lexile range, he or she should be able to comprehend enough of the book to make sense of it, while still being sufficiently challenged to maintain interest and learning.
How does your child get a Lexile measure in Arizona?
Students, grades 3-8 and grade 10, receive a Lexile measure from Arizona’s Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS).
How can you use Lexile measures to help your child find books?
With the free “Find a Book, Arizona” search tool, you can help your son or daughter select books that best match his or her reading ability (Lexile measure), interests and goals. It’s easy and fun to use!
- GO TO www.Lexile.com/fab/Arizona
- ENTER a Lexile measure
- PICK interest categories
- VIEW AND REFINE the search results
- PRINT the custom summer reading list
- FIND a library
Should your child try to read books outside of his or her Lexile range?
Your son or daughter can read books that are above or below his or her Lexile range. However, books that are below your child’s Lexile range may offer little challenge in terms of new vocabulary and complex grammatical structure. Similarly, books that are above his or her Lexile range may be too challenging and discourage the reader.
Higher Lexile measures allow an advanced and enthusiastic reader to:
– be challenged with high-interest books above his or her Lexile level
– seek help with a hard but interesting book
– find other books on the same subject but at a higher Lexile level
Lower Lexile measures allow a struggling and reluctant reader to:
– build skills with less challenging books on topics of choice
– select high-low books based on Lexile and development levels
– find other books on the same subject but at a lower level
Does your child need a Lexile measure to use “Find a Book, Arizona?”
No. “Find a Book, Arizona” can estimate your son or daughter’s starting Lexile range based on his or her grade and comfort with the reading material at that grade. Then, based on the book search results, your child can further refine his or her Lexile range to select books that best support successful reading.
How is the Lexile measure of a book determined?
A book receives a Lexile measure when MetaMetrics® analyzes the complete text using propriety software that evaluates its various dimensions. Lexile measures range from below 200L for beginning-reader text to above 1600L for more advanced text. More than 150,000 books have Lexile measures, and this number continues to grow.
Is a Lexile measure the only criteria to consider when picking a book?
A Lexile measure is a measure of text complexity only. It does not address the subject matter or text quality, age-appropriateness of the content or your child’s interests. The Lexile measure is one piece of information that students can use to select books. Some books also have a Lexile code—a two-letter designation that appears before the Lexile measure (for example, AD580L)—to provide more information about the books developmental appropriateness, reading difficulty, and common or intended usage. Visit www.Lexile.com for more information on Lexile codes.
For more information on Lexile Measures, visit www.Lexile.com.
Using Lexile® measures to help students “Find a Book” this summer
Young children and their parents may come into your library this summer and ask for help finding books in a Lexile range that match their interests. The following information will help with these requests.
What is a Lexile measure?
A Lexile measure indicates the reading level of an individual or a book. By comparing your student’s Lexile measure with the Lexile measure of a book, you can decide whether its text demand will be too difficult, too easy or just right for your student’s reading ability. To best strengthen his or her reading skills, your student should read books within his or her Lexile range.
What is your student’s recommended Lexile range?
Your student’s Lexile range spans from 100L below to 50L above his or her Lexile measure. When your student reads within his or her Lexile range, he or she should be able to comprehend enough of the book to make sense of it, while still being sufficiently challenged to maintain interest and learning.
How does a student get a Lexile measure in Arizona?
Students, grades 3-8 and grade 10, receive a Lexile measure from Arizona’s Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS).
How can you use Lexile measures to help your students find books?
With the free “Find a Book, Arizona” search tool, you can help your students select books that best match his or her reading ability (Lexile measure), interests and goals. It’s easy and fun to use!
- GO TO www.Lexile.com/fab/Arizona
- ENTER a Lexile measure
- PICK interest categories
- VIEW AND REFINE the search results
- PRINT the custom summer reading list
- FIND a library
Should your student try to read books outside of his or her Lexile range?
Your student can read books that are above or below his or her Lexile range. However, books that are below your student’s Lexile range may offer little challenge in terms of new vocabulary and complex grammatical structure. Similarly, books that are above his or her Lexile range may be too challenging and discourage the reader.
Higher Lexile measures allow an advanced and enthusiastic reader to:
– be challenged with high-interest books above his or her Lexile level
– seek help with a hard but interesting book
– find other books on the same subject but at a higher Lexile level
Lower Lexile measures allow a struggling and reluctant reader to:
– build skills with less challenging books on topics of choice
– select high-low books based on Lexile and development levels
– find other books on the same subject but at a lower level
Does your student need a Lexile measure to use “Find a Book, Arizona?”
No. “Find a Book, Arizona” can estimate your student’s starting Lexile range based on his or her grade and comfort with the reading material at that grade. Then, based on the book search results, your student can further refine his or her Lexile range to select books that best support successful reading.
How is the Lexile measure of a book determined?
A book receives a Lexile measure when MetaMetrics® analyzes the complete text using propriety software that evaluates its various dimensions. Lexile measures range from below 200L for beginning-reader text to above 1600L for more advanced text. More than 140,000 books have Lexile measures, and this number continues to grow.
Is a Lexile measure the only criteria to consider when picking a book?
A Lexile measure is a measure of text complexity only. It does not address the subject matter or text quality, age-appropriateness of the content or your student’s interests. The Lexile measure is one piece of information that students can use to select books.
Some books also have a Lexile code—a two-letter designation that appears before the Lexile measure (for example, AD580L)—to provide more information about the books developmental appropriateness, reading difficulty, and common or intended usage. Visit www.Lexile.com for more information on Lexile codes.
For more information on Lexile Measures, visit www.Lexile.com
Help Every Child Find Great Books to Read This Summer
“Find a Book, Arizona” is a fun and easy way to select books based on a child’s Lexile® measure and interests. You can use this free search tool to build custom book lists for readers at all levels, and then locate your selections at the local public library.
- GO TO www.Lexile.com/fab/Arizona
- ENTER a Lexile measure
- PICK interest categories
- VIEW AND REFINE the search results
- PRINT the custom summer reading list
- FIND a library
A Lexile measure is a measure of text complexity only. It does not address the subject matter or text quality of the book, age-appropriateness of its content or the reader’s interests. The Lexile measure is one piece of information you can use when selecting books. For more information on Lexile measures, visit www.Lexile.com.