What is a Lexile measure?
A Lexile measure is a standard score that matches a student’s reading ability with difficulty of text material. A Lexile measure can be interpreted as the level of book that a student can read with 75% comprehension. Experts have identified a 75% comprehension level as offering the reader a certain amount of comfort and yet still offering a challenge. The Lexile® map shows Lexile measures ranging between approximately 200L and 1700L. However, some reading materials and readers do have Lexile measures below 200L and may have a code of BR* for beginning reader.
Now that I know my child’s Lexile measure, what do I do with it?
Reports show a student’s Lexile score and Lexile range. However, if you only have the student’s Lexile measure, you can easily determine his/her Lexile range.To calculate your student’s Lexile range, add 50 to the student’s reported Lexile measure and subtract 100; in other words, locate 50L above and 100L below their reported Lexile measure. This range represents the boundaries between the easiest kind of reading material that still provides challenge for your student and the hardest level at which he/she can read independently. Now select reading material within that Lexile range. Also consider your child’s interest in topics and favorite authors as well as the age-appropriateness of the book’s content.
Example: Susie’s Individual Student Report shows she has a Lexile measure of 450L. Her range would be 350L to 500L. To find reading material that she can read with at least a 75% comprehension level, select books, magazines, or other reading material within this range.
Where can I find books within my child’s Lexile range?
Libraries now have many books that have been tagged with a Lexile measure. Ask your school media specialist or public librarian to assist in locating books with Lexile measures. Many publishers have analyzed their books to receive Lexile measures, and this information can often be found in the library catalogue system as well as on the book’s copyright page, spine, or back cover.
In addition, MetaMetrics has created a parent-friendly book-search engine, Find a Book, that allows parents to enter the child’s Lexile measure. The search engine will automatically compute the Lexile range and helps parents find books within their child’s Lexile range. Parents can also search for reading materials without a Lexile measure by entering the student’s grade, comfort level with reading, and child’s preference for topics and/or genres. A selection of books that fit these criteria will be generated. Then the parent can select those that interest the student and the finalized list can be saved to a file, emailed, or printed.
Remember a Lexile measure is a measure of text complexity only. It does not address the subject matter or text quality, age-appropriateness of the content, or a reader’s interests. The Lexile measure is one piece of information that you can use when selecting books.
Visit the Find a Book site:
Where can I find out more about Lexiles?
The Assessment and Accountability Division of the Georgia Department of Education has created a presentation on Lexiles. This document is linked on the right side of the page.
Additional information provided by the Georgia Department of Education is available on GeorgiaStandards.org.
MetaMetrics developed the Lexile® Framework and provides a wealth of information for teachers and families on Lexiles. Three documents, in particular, are helpful: Lexile Measures in the Home, Lexile Measures in the Classroom, and Lexile Measures in the Library. To find these family and educator guides and other helpful information, visit the MetaMetrics Lexile website at: www.lexile.com.

Where can I find my son’s or daughter’s Lexile measure?
You will find the Lexile measure on the individual student reports for the Georgia Milestones End of Grade English Language Arts (ELA) assessments in grades 3 through 8 as well as for the Georgia Milestones End of Course ELA assessments for Ninth Grade Literature and Composition or American Literature and Composition.
*On my child’s report there is a Lexile measure of BR. What does this mean?
Typically, readers and text materials fall between 200L and 1700L. A Lexile text measure below 200L represents reading material for readers that are still learning to read, and a student’s Lexile score may have a number below 200L or the code of BR. BR is a code that stands for Beginning Reading. This code is used for any text or student ability that has a Lexile measure of zero or below. Some students, particularly at the lower grades, had Georgia Milestones scores that generated a BR Lexile score. To find appropriate reading material for a student with a BR Lexile measure, use the Find a Book section on the MetaMetrics website: www.lexile.com/fab/GA.
Here are some titles that reflect Lexile measures below 200.
ISBN |
Title |
Author |
Lexile |
047820454X |
"Smile!" said Dad |
Jane Buxton |
20L |
0516251759 |
Ah-choo |
Taylor-Butler, Christine |
30L |
0478204418 |
"Happy Birthday, Estela!" |
Bingley, Anne M. |
70L |
1572571799 |
After the Rain |
Graham, Meadows |
70L |
051622879X |
A Lunch With Punch |
Kittinger, Jo S. |
80L |
0060743557 |
A Play's the Thing |
Aliki |
120L |
0679886893 |
6 Sticks |
Coxe, Molly |
120L |
0439192587 |
Aaron's Hair |
Munsch, Robert |
190L |
Here are some titles that reflect Lexile measures of BR.
ISBN |
Title |
Author |
Lexile |
0516020072 |
Addition Annie |
Gisler, David |
BR |
0763515337 |
After the Flood |
Giles, Jenny |
BR |
0673803813 |
Aqua Aqua Aqua |
Mora, Pat |
BR |
0152020632 |
"Fire, Fire!" Said Mrs. McGuire |
Martin Jr., Bill |
BR |
0813620082 |
"POP" Pops the Popcorn |
Egan, Bob |
BR |
0478126123 |
"Who Took the Cake?" |
Medina, Eduardo |
BR |
1558586466 |
1. 2. 3... What Do You See? |
Bohdal, Susi |
BR |
0439330173 |
100th Day, The |
Maccarone, Grace |
BR |