Steps

Explanation

Student Standard of Learning Test (SOL) scores are reported in correlated Lexile levels.

Superintendent’s Memo #267, October 24, 2008, titled Lexile Framework for Reading Initiative indicates that SOL scores will be reported in Lexile levels as well as in the standard reported score.  The memo includes a link to tables for each grade level.

If the SOL/Lexile level is not readily available, any available text or reading material in your classroom can be used and a Lexile level be determined for that piece of text at www.Lexile.com.

The Lexile website provides a database of titles that have been Lexile leveled or a method for inserting a passage to have the level determined.  To match Lexile level to grade level, refer to the attached chart from Advantage Learning Systems, Inc (attached).

Several passages at Lexile levels surrounding the grade level of attendance need to be collected as well for assessing and determining the student’s level.

Once the student’s skill at his or her grade level of attendance is determined to be “not at grade level” and the need is present to continue the investigation, additional pieces of text at varying Lexile levels will be needed.

Once the student is matched with grade level of attendance, the assessment can begin at this point.

Several factors need to be considered when assessing the level at which the student comprehends reading material, but initially it is important to determine their skill at grade level.

Conduct a running record procedure with the grade level selected reading passage to determine the appropriate match of Lexile leveled reading material to student.

http://www.readinga-z.com/newfiles/levels/runrecord/runrec.html

Use this resource for information regarding the procedure, forms, and techniques for conducting a running record for miscue analysis and retelling; more specific questioning of reading comprehension skills can be performed as well – main idea, sequence,  inference, and so on.

If the grade level material is not a match to the student, refer to the SOL-Lexile Level score on the SOL report document and begin the running record procedure with a reading passage at that level or at the next higher Lexile level increment.

The website, Reading A-Z.com, has content material available either through free download or, for a more extensive listing, through subscribing to the service.  Reading passages can also be used from materials within your classroom or the school library.  Often these titles can be found in the Lexile database.

Once a match with an appropriate reading level is determined in which the student is able to comprehend what they have read, instructional materials at that level can be provided to the student.  To continue reading instruction, materials at the next higher Lexile level increment will be used to move the student forward.

The student will need to be able to gain knowledge from his or her own reading; therefore the match to instructional level is critical.  If materials at his or her instructional level are not available, free downloadable readers might be considered for use with instructional materials.

To move comprehension instruction forward, the student needs to feel comfortable in the reading passage but challenged and engaged as well with the material.

Assessment or progress monitoring at regular intervals is critical to the continuing progress of the student. See references below.

Use of the running record procedure should be completed and can be done rather quickly.