Quick reference chart for converting leveling systems such as Lexile and Flesch-Kincaid into CCR grade bands.
Selecting Grade Level Text
To choose texts that are on grade level for the CCSS and other college- and career-ready standards, use three steps:
1. Use quantitative measures to assign a text to a grade band.
2. Use qualitative measures to locate a text within a specific grade band.
3. Use professional judgment to decide how suited a text is for a specific instructional purpose with a particular set of students.
Quantitative Tools to Measure Text Complexity: To decide if a text is on grade level for college- and career-ready standards, including the Common Core, start here. These tools quickly identify the grade band for a text.
Qualitative Tools to Measure Text Complexity: After identifying the grade band for a text, use these tools to determine its specific grade level and what features will make it challenging for students.
Qualitative Dimensions of Text Complexity Chart: Scales for evaluating the qualitative features of text complexity: text structure, language clarity and conventions, knowledge demands, and levels of meaning/purpose
Example of completed qualitative scale for the 9-10 band.
Detailed explanation of qualitative features; to be consulted in filling out the qualitative scale.
- Analysis of Text for Complexity
Complete the activity for Core Action 1 to learn more about Text Complexity.