Frequently Asked Questions: Educators

• What is The Lexile Framework for Reading?
• What is a Lexile measure?
• How is the Lexile measure of a text determined?
• What types of materials have Lexile measures?
• What benefits do Lexile measures offer educators?
• What is a student's recommended Lexile range?
• Should students read books outside their Lexile range?
• How can students find books within their Lexile range?
• Why is "75-percent comprehension" significant?
• How is a Lexile measure related to a TOEFL score?
• Why is a TOEFL test reading score also available as a Lexile measure?
• How do my students determine their Lexile measure based on their TOEFL test reading score?
• Can a Lexile measure predict a TOEFL test reading score?
• Are Lexile measures available for speaking, listening or writing?

About The Lexile Framework for Reading

What is The Lexile Framework for Reading?

The Lexile Framework for Reading, developed by MetaMetrics, is a scientific approach to measuring reading ability and the text difficulty of reading materials. The Lexile Framework includes a Lexile measure and the Lexile scale. A Lexile measure represents both the difficulty of a text, like a book, and an individual's reading ability. Lexile measures are expressed as a number followed by an "L" (for example, 950L), and are placed on the Lexile scale. The Lexile scale is a developmental scale for measuring reading ability and text difficulty, ranging from below 200L for beginning readers and beginning-reader materials to above 1700L for advanced readers and materials. Knowing the Lexile measures of a reader and text helps to predict how the text matches the reader's ability-whether the text may be too easy, too difficult or just right. With Lexile measures, educators are better able to connect students with books and articles that are targeted to their reading level.

What is a Lexile measure?

A Lexile measure indicates the reading level of a person or a text, and is expressed as a number followed by an "L" (for example, 1050L). A Lexile measure is useful for finding instructional and leisure-reading materials at the right level of difficulty for individual students. Educators can compare their students' Lexile measures with the Lexile measure of a book or an article to determine whether the text may be too difficult, too easy or just right. To strengthen reading skills, students should read materials within their Lexile range. A Lexile measure also can be used to monitor an individual's growth in reading ability over time.

How is the Lexile measure of a text determined?

A Lexile measure for a text is based on two characteristics: vocabulary and sentence length. A specialized software program determines word frequencies for each word in the text, and examines the number of words in each sentence. The result of these calculations is a Lexile measure, and it describes the difficulty level of the entire text.

What types of materials have Lexile measures?

Tens of thousands of books and tens of millions of articles have Lexile measures. More than 150 publishers have Lexile measures for their titles. This wide range of fiction and nonfiction texts with Lexile measures helps to ensure that you will be able to find the materials you need to help your students improve their reading proficiency.

Improving Students' Reading

What benefits do Lexile measures offer educators?

Lexile measures help educators to design targeted reading activities, set measurable goals and monitor reading progress over time. For tips on how to use Lexile measures in the classroom, read the "Lexile Measures in the Classroom" fact sheet.

What is a student's recommended Lexile range?

Students should select materials that are within 100L below to 50L above their Lexile measure. For example, if the student has a Lexile measure of 1000L, he or she should read materials that have a Lexile measure between 900L and 1050L. Selecting texts within the recommended Lexile range encourages successful, targeted reading practice.

Should students read books outside their Lexile range?

That depends on the purpose and context for reading. If your students wish to experience total control and automaticity while reading, they should read materials notably below their Lexile range. This condition may be appropriate to build reader confidence and fluency. If your students are highly motivated and appreciate exceptional challenge, they may prefer to read materials with Lexile measures above their Lexile range. 

How can students find books within their Lexile range?

The free "Find a Book" search utility at www.lexile.com/TOEFL enables users to explore the Lexile Book Database based on two criteria-their Lexile measure and interests-and generate personalized reading lists that can be emailed, printed or saved to a computer. Your students can use their targeted reading list at the library, bookstore or on the Internet when selecting materials to practice reading.

Why is "75-percent comprehension" significant?

When a reader shares the same Lexile measure as a text the reader is "targeted" and forecasted to experience a comprehension rate of about 75%. This rate reflects the point at which the reader should be able to manage the text's difficulty level without becoming frustrated or discouraged. Targeted readers report competence, confidence and control over the text. It is possible to adjust a reader's anticipated comprehension by choosing texts outside his or her Lexile range. Comprehension is likely to increase when the text is below the reader's Lexile range; comprehension is likely to decrease when the text is above the reader's Lexile range. 

TOEFL iBT & Lexile measures

How is a Lexile measure related to a TOEFL score?

Both a Lexile measure and a TOEFL test reading score are indicators of an individual's reading ability. The relationship between the Lexile measure and TOEFL test reading score was established through a research study conducted in March 2009. During this study, approximately 3,000 participants completed a TOEFL reading test and a Lexile reading test. Researchers examined participants' performance on these tests and developed a mathematical equation to match an individual's TOEFL test reading score with a Lexile measure.

Why is a TOEFL test reading score also available as a Lexile measure?

In spring 2009, ETS and Lexile-developer MetaMetrics partnered to provide examinees with useful feedback about their current reading level. Examinees can use their Lexile measure to select resources that will provide an optimal level of reading challenge for their ability.

How do my students determine their Lexile measure based on their TOEFL test reading score?

Students should visit www.lexile.com/TOEFL and enter their TOEFL test reading score where prompted. They will automatically receive their Lexile measure and recommended Lexile range.

Can a Lexile measure predict a TOEFL test reading score?

A Lexile measure is useful for identifying the difficulty level of reading materials, as well as monitoring reading progress over time. Both of these applications help students to gauge their readiness level for a future administration of the TOEFL reading test. While TOEFL test reading scores can be matched with Lexile measures, other factors related to the student, the test, and the interaction between the two affect being able to predict one score from another.

Are Lexile measures available for speaking, listening or writing?

Not at this time.