Simon & Schuster, Inc. Adds Lexile Measures to Books
Publisher Collaborates with MetaMetrics to Measure Titles Using The Lexile Framework for Reading
New York & Durham, N.C. — Aug. 6, 2009 — Simon & Schuster, Inc. and MetaMetrics®, Inc., developer of The Lexile Framework® for Reading, today announced an agreement for MetaMetrics to provide Lexile® measures for books under many of the publisher’s imprints. Simon & Schuster is the largest trade publisher to offer Lexile measures as a way to connect readers with books based on their unique abilities.
“The children’s book community and the educational market consider Lexile measures to be one of the most important and widely accepted standards for matching students with the right books. We are delighted that Simon & Schuster is now using these measures to help students and parents find books that will support positive reading experiences,” said Michelle Fadlalla, Director of Marketing, Education and Library for Simon & Schuster. “We have a plethora of Children’s and Adult titles that appeal to students at every level and having this tool available will increase access to these different books and their designated reading levels.”
The two companies kicked off the text measurement project this summer by measuring books from some of Simon & Schuster’s most well known imprints, including titles from Aladdin Books, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Atria, Free Press, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Scribner, Simon & Schuster, and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. The new titles with Lexile measures have been added to the Lexile Book Database and “Find a Book” Web site (www.lexile.com/findabook). Educators, parents and students use these free Web resources to quickly and easily build custom booklists that will challenge the student’s ability, while maintaining interest and learning. Beginning in fall 2009, book product pages on SimonandSchuster.com and SimonandSchuster.net will display the Lexile level for all measured titles and customers will be able to browse by Lexile measure.
“By providing Lexile measures for many of its books, Simon & Schuster is demonstrating a commitment to supporting students in their development of critical reading skills,” said MetaMetrics President Malbert Smith III, Ph.D. “Following Barnes & Noble’s recent adoption of the Lexile Framework, we are pleased to welcome Simon & Schuster to the list of publishers, booksellers, and organizations who are promoting the importance of childhood literacy by publishing Lexile measures for their materials.”
Recognized as the most widely adopted reading measure, Lexile measures are used at the school level in various capacities in all 50 states. Each year, more than 28 million Lexile measures are reported from reading assessments and programs, representing about half of U.S. students.
The Lexile Framework is an educational tool that connects readers with reading materials using a common measure called a Lexile. What makes the Lexile Framework unique, and what has led to its widespread adoption, is that it measures both reading ability and text difficulty on the same developmental scale. When used together, Lexile reader measures and Lexile text measures allow educators, parents and students to find books and other materials that meet and challenge a reader’s unique ability and interests. Currently, more than 115,000 books, 80 million articles and 60,000 Web sites have Lexile measures, and the number of resources with Lexile measures continues to grow. For more information on the Lexile Framework, visit www.Lexile.com.
ABOUT SIMON & SCHUSTER
Simon & Schuster, a part of CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com.
About MetaMetrics, Inc.
MetaMetrics, Inc., a privately held educational measurement company, develops scientifically based measures of student achievement that link assessment with instruction, foster better educational practices, and improve learning by matching students with materials that meet and challenge their abilities. The company’s team of psychometricians developed the widely adopted Lexile Framework for Reading (www.Lexile.com); El Sistema Lexile para Leer, the Spanish-language version of the Lexile Framework; The Quantile Framework® for Mathematics (www.Quantiles.com); and The Lexile Framework for Writing. In addition to licensing Lexile and Quantile® measures to state departments of education, testing and instructional companies and publishers, MetaMetrics delivers professional development, resource measurement and customized consulting services. For more information, visit www.MetaMetricsInc.com.