Looking "within" the Lexile for more guidance: Word frequency & sentence length

The Common Core State Standards are complex and include a multitude of features that are aimed at moving American students to a higher levels of literacy in the digital-global world of the 21st century. When faced with a change—especially one where there is a great deal at stake and that involves complexity—an initial response often is to hang our hats on what can be done—quickly and efficiently.

The conversation that I am initiating is aimed at ensuring that we, as reading educators, move carefully and thoughtfully—and that we use our extensive knowledge base about texts and their features. In particular, I am hopeful that we, as reading educators, can be leaders in using an extensive knowledge base that we have accumulated over the decades on what readability formulas can do and what they can’t do.

Hiebert, E.H. (February 8, 2011). Looking “within” the Lexile for more guidance: Word frequency & sentence length.  Presentation to State Council Leaders of the International Reading Association. Retrieved on May 5, 2011, from IRA.