The Role of Readability in Today's Classrooms
Lexile text measures are discussed along with a number of other readability formulas.
“The Role of Readability in Today’s Classrooms” emphasizes the importance of providing students with materials on the appropriate level of challenge. Major readability formulas and leveling systems that might be used to assess the difficulty level of materials are reviewed. Because formulas are restricted to objective factors and leveling systems rely too heavily on subjective judgment, this article recommends using both objective and subjective factors when estimating readability levels. This article also recommends using readability/leveling systems as a way of noting textual difficulties that might need instructional intervention.