English/Language Arts

Lexile Information for Schools and Families

Published: 8/3/2022 3:52 PM

What is a Lexile Measure?

There are two Lexile® measures: the Lexile reader measure and the Lexile text measure. A Lexile reader measure represents a person’s reading ability on the Lexile scale. A Lexile text measure represents the complexity of a text on the Lexile scale. When used together, Lexile measures help a reader choose a book or other reading material that is at an appropriate level of complexity and can predict how well a reader will likely comprehend a text at a specific Lexile level. For example, if a reader has a Lexile measure of 1000L, the reader is forecasted to comprehend approximately 75 percent of a book with the same Lexile measure (1000L). The 75-percent comprehension rate is called “targeted” reading.

More information about the Lexile Framework can be found at Lexile.com.

Quantitative and Qualitative Measures of Text Complexity

When analyzing text complexity, Lexile level is also known as a quantitative measure. While Lexile is one quantitative measure of text complexity, qualitative measures (such as text structure, language features, meaning, and knowledge demands) are equally important and should also be considered. The Qualitative and Quantitative Professional Learning Module helps teachers analyze text complexity for both Lexile level as well as content and structure.

Please email the ELA team with any questions.

Free Lexile Tools

The Lexile Framework website provides interactive tools to determine which Lexile levels students may access at various points in a given school year. The Lexile Grade Level Charts allow educators, caregivers and students to select a grade and time of school year that may help determine appropriate Lexile levels for individual students.

Educators, caregivers and students can search for titles matching student Lexile level using the free Find a Book search tool. From there, students can build custom reading lists around their interests and then check the availability of books at their local library.