I too have a question I would like to ask everyone that uses lexiles in
their high school. This fall our school started using the MAPS testing
program to test students in Math, Reading and Language Arts. With the
reading test it gives the students a lexile score. My question is do
any high schools use this as a factor for students to select books for
book check out? I have had an English teacher that wanted their
students to do this.
The more I find out about lexiles the less I like it. Many of the
books in our collection are around 700 - 1000. If our Freshman are
reading at a proficient or advanced level they should be checking out
books from 1000 or above. As I look at the scores for the various books
I have I find it hard to believe that some books that have symbolism or
very complex plot or story lines still have a score less than 1000. One
book that comes to mind is Lord of the Flies which has a score of 770.
Now what 5th grader would be able to understand this book? Many times it
is on reading lists for Juniors or Seniors. Yet most of the Gary Paulsen
books have a score above 1000.
I know how they figure lexiles but it seems to me that the scoring
should some how take into account what the book is about such as plot,
symbolism, etc. not just length and complexity of sentences, and
vocabulary.
On the other hand I have some students with lexile scores in the 300s.
What should I do for them? Buy picture books as those are the only ones
I have found that have a lexile score in this range.
What do you think?
Cheri Zahasky
HS LMC Director
Black River Falls, WI
>>> merryday_l <merryday_l@FIRN.EDU> 10/3/2005 10:09:57 AM >>>
Dear LM_NET,
I am a media specialist in a middle school with about 700
students. Over 50% of our enrolled students are reading
below grade level, with approximately half of those reading
SIGNIFICANTLY below grade level. At the same time, we have
plenty of talented and gifted students reading significantly
above grade level. We have a large selection of books that
are Reading Counts, and it is required that students earn a
certain number of points in independent reading each term.
My assistant principal came to me last week requesting that
I begin monitoring students to ensure they are checking out
books in their appropriate lexile ranges for independent
reading. (I forgot to mention that I have no media aide.
And, no, even this task will not be enough to petition for
one. lol)
Our reading coach and I have attempted to encourage students
to choose books close to their lexile levels. (We have SRI
incorporated into RC.) However, it became clear that this
is a daunting task. Students are often challenged enough to
find books that appeal to them without going through the
added frustration of trying to find an appealing book within
150 points of their lexile range. I have given them lists
of RC books to choose from. You can imagine how well THAT
went over. I have encouraged them to pick books within
their lexile color range for RC. This is highly problematic
as the color ranges encompass of wide variety of levels even
within one color. It has been suggested to me that I have
teachers assume responsibility for ensuring checkout of
books within correct ranges. With all that teachers have to
do now, I don't want to burden them further.
Ultimately, I guess my problem is that I fear encouraging a
hatred of reading among our students. I am also concerned
that this could open up a hornet's nest of making student
library records so accessible to others. However, I, too,
want to help students (especially our low readers) find
appropriate books.
What are your thoughts and experiences with this? Do you
have a system that works for your school that you are also
comfortable with? If there is interest, I'm happy to post a
HIT.
Leigh Merryday
Media Specialist
W.H. Beasley Middle School
Palatka, FL
merryday_l@firn.edu
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