Reading A-Z Correlation Chart

Conversion chart of Guided Reading, Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA), and Lexile Levels

What are the differences among leveled reading systems?

Grade Level

Sorting books by grade level is the most basic, understandable system. If you use a basal series to teach reading, you probably use this system. If you’re searching for science or social studies books for a unit of study, a grade level search is precise enough.

Guided Reading Level

Developed by Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell, the guided reading level system gives a more precise reading level for books. This more detailed, alphabetic system has several levels within each grade level. For example, grade 2 is equivalent to guided reading levels J through M. This allows you to tailor your reading program more accurately to a wide range of reading abilities. Each book is carefully evaluated prior to being leveled and teacher input is taken into consideration in the leveling process. The Fountas and Pinnell Leveled Books Web site for subscribers includes a database of 18,000 leveled books as well as suggestions for reading instruction, supporting materials and teacher tips.

The Lexile Framework® for Reading

The Lexile Framework, an even finer numerical filter, assesses a book’s difficulty and helps match reader ability and text difficulty based on the numeric Lexile scale. This system from educational measurement company, MetaMetrics, targets books on the right reading level for the child’s ability. This system is based on an algorithm that simultaneously measures vocabulary and sentence length. The Lexile database includes prose only. Poems, plays and songs are rated simply Non-Prose or NP. If a book is best shared as a read-aloud it is in the Adult Directed or AD category. A book is a Nonconforming Text or NC if its vocabulary and sentence length are complex compared to the subject matter. An NC book is one that is suitable for advanced readers who need age-appropriate materials. Beginning Readers or BR are those books at a Lexile measure of zero or below. The Lexile framework includes formative assessments as opposed to summative assessments like chapter, unit or state-wide tests. Formative assessments are tests you give as you teach new material. The test results help you amplify your teaching, re-teach and provide additional practice to solidify concepts and skills. There is a free database at Lexile.com

DRA

Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) is a reading assessment tool intended to identify the independent reading level for students in grades K–8. Using the DRA numerical scale you can measure reading accuracy, fluency and comprehension. Students are said to be near, at or above grade level, below grade level and significantly below grade level. Once you know the student’s DRA score, then you can match that score with books in the appropriate level.