MetaMetrics’ widely adopted scale for measuring reading extended to measure reading skills for preK through 12th grade
Durham, N.C. – January 15, 2020 – MetaMetrics®, developer of the Lexile Framework® for Reading, today announced an extension of the Lexile® scale to measure pre-literacy skills for students learning to read. Now Lexile measures and the new test items in the Lexile Item Bank can be used to assess alphabet knowledge, phonological awareness and phonics, as well as vocabulary and reading comprehension, for preK through 12th grade.
The Lexile Framework places both the student and instructional materials on the same scale to match the learner with reading resources at their ability level. This scientific, objective reading measure now also assesses emergent literacy skills. For educators, this extension of the Lexile scale offers continuity and a seamless way to set goals and track progress of emerging readers.
“Research shows that a student’s reading proficiency by third grade is a strong predictor of high school graduation and career success,” said Malbert Smith, CEO and co-founder of MetaMetrics. “With our new pre-literacy items, education companies can develop products that will help educators accelerate literacy skill growth for young learners, English language learners and anyone who is learning how to read.”
The extended Lexile scale is already being used by Jiliguala, a mobile app for helping young Chinese learners build English language skills. More than 25 million preschoolers in 2,300 towns and cities throughout China are learning English with Jiliguala’s engaging, game-based app.
The Lexile scale is based on a firm foundation of academic research and scientific rigor that has validated MetaMetrics’ assessment items over the last 30 years. To extend the scale to provide measures for emerging readers, the company conducted a field study with a diverse population of nearly 2,000 students in preschool, kindergarten and first grade.
About MetaMetrics
MetaMetrics is an award-winning education technology organization that offers the only scientifically valid, universal scales for measuring reading (Lexile) and math (Quantile) with plans to develop measures for listening, oral reading fluency and writing. The Lexile and Quantile Frameworks measure student ability and the complexity of the content they encounter. Lexile and Quantile measures and related technologies link assessment to instruction and provide next steps for students of all ages and abilities. The measures also provide valuable insights about students’ potential for growth. MetaMetrics’ measures, products and services are licensed to dozens of education product companies to help achieve that growth. For 35 years, MetaMetrics’ work has been increasingly recognized for its research-based approach to improving learning. For more information, visit metametricsinc.com.