Adding Lexile Numbers to

the JJL LibraryCarla Foreman

LSCI 604

The problem… Currently there is no way to search for books

by Lexile level in the John J. Lukancic Library.

The goal is to find a way to implement Lexile numbers in the library for current and new books and make it easy for students to search by Lexile number so that they can be sure to read books at their Lexile level.

The solution…

Why add Lexile numbers?

Last year students began taking the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Test in the Valley View School District.

These tests are given three times a year (Fall, Winter, Spring)

Each child receives individualized results letting them know how well they did in Math and Reading. Along with these results, students get their own personal Lexile range.

Allowing students to search for books in their own Lexile range will help them to choose books that are appropriate for their reading level (they won’t be reading at too high or too low of a level). Books that are below their Lexile level may not be challenging enough to help them grow as readers and books that are above their Lexile level may cause frustration and cause struggling readers to give up and stop reading altogether.

Sources say… “…the Lexile Framework

for Reading, a new technology and instructional method designed to measure and improve reading comprehension, has been adopted by a number of school districts and seems to be growing in popularity as a tool to help poor readers.”

-Calvin Reid

“Lexile level analysis as well as curriculum maps and collection maps are useful tools for collection development. Such tools provide needed documentation as well insightful information to guide print purchases for school libraries.”

-Arlene Kachka

The Standards… AASL Standard 1: Inquire, think critically, and gain

knowledge

Indicator 1.1.8 Grade level 8 benchmarks:

Implement keyword search strategies

Use a variety of search engines to do advanced searching

AASL Standard 4: Pursue Personal and Aesthetic Growth Indicator 4.1.4 Grade level 8 benchmarks:

Explore new genres that fulfill interests and reading level

Select resources on topics of interest a both a comfortable reading level and at higher levels of comprehension

Current Follett Destiny search screen at JJL

Follet Destiny Search screen with Lexile search

ability

Students can type in Lexile range to find books at their level

Search results

The Plan… Contact Follett to add the search option to the

Destiny Search Screen. Figure out cost and talk to district administration about adding this option onto the current plan.

Assign Lexile number to each book in the library.

Ask teacher volunteers to help assign Lexile numbers to books if district cannot (or will not) purchase service from outside vendors or Follett.

Talk to students about Lexile levels and their purpose, show them where to locate their Lexile level on MAP test results, and instruct them on how to search for books in their Lexile level in the library OPAC.

Works Cited Columbia City High School OPAC. Retrieved from:

http://follett.wccsonline.com/cataloging/servlet/presentbasicsearchform.do?l2m=Library%20Search

John J. Lukancic Middle School OPAC. Retrieved from: http://destiny.vvsd.org/cataloging/servlet/presentadvancedsearchredirectorform.do?l2m=Library%20Search&tm=TopLevelCatalog&l2m=Library+Search

Kachka, A. (2012). Lexile level analysis as a collection development tool. School Library Monthly, 28(4): 35-36. Retrieved from: https://login.proxy.olivet.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=tfh&AN=69986703&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Reid, Calvin. (1998). Lexile: Will All Books Need This Reading-Level Rating? Publishers Weekly, 245(32): 240. Retrieved from: http://web.ebscohost.com.proxy.olivet.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=677d1f10-5b57-47c8-a484-ac1d3841fbd4%40sessionmgr114&vid=4&hid=118