Free Online Readability Tool to Acquire Lexile® Scores

I have been approached lately about the topic of Lexile® scores. I wrote a previous blog post about readability tools available on the web, including StoryToolz (a tool that averages several different Grade Level Equivalency [GLE] measures and provides an average GLE), and VocabProfiler (a tool that generates the percentage of high frequency vocabulary used in a text). I wanted to add one more web-based resource available to determine a Lexile® score. A Lexile® score takes into account the frequency of the vocabulary used within the text, as well as sentence length. This is an alternative to a Grade Level Equivalency measure. 

The Lexile® Analyzer is a tool developed by MetaMetrics that you can use to determine a Lexile® score for text that you write or select to ensure that the text is at an appropriate reading level for your students. After submitting your text on the Lexile® Analyzer, the tool will generate a Lexile® measure. To do this, you first have to register on the Lexile® website with your email address and password. Then you prepare your text by saving your text as a plain text file (using a ".txt" extension). Then you upload the file, and the analyzer tool will generate the Lexile® score.

The following information provides more detailed step-by-step information on how to use the Lexile® Analyzer and is available on the Lexile® website here:

• Step 1: What kinds of texts can be measured
• Step 2: Prepare your text for measurement
• Step 3: Type or scan your text
• Step 4: Convert your text into a plain text file
• Step 5: Analyze your text and get results
• Using the Professional Analyzer®

Something to keep in mind is that if you want to publish Lexile® scores for material you have written, you need to have the text professionally analyzed by MetaMetrics for a cost. I have personally worked with the folks at MetaMetrics for this purpose and have found them to be extremely friendly and helpful. In fact, I was able to connect with one of them at the TESOLConference in New Orleans this past Spring.

 

Another resource available on the Lexile® website is the correlation of a range of Lexile® scores with grade level equivalencies, which is available here. It is important to note, however, that there is no direct correspondence between grade level equivalencies and Lexile® scores. These correlations are used for illustrative purposes only. Take note: The MetaMetrics website states that "This information is for descriptive purposes only and should not be interpreted as a prescribed guide about what an appropriate reader measure or text measure should be for a given grade."