The 2020 text complexity continuum in grades 1-12

Since 2005, MetaMetrics has conducted a number of research studies to describe the typical reading demands that students encounter in the classroom. These studies were implemented in stages: high school (Grades 9-12) in Fall 2005; middle school (Grades 6-8) in Spring 2007; and, elementary school (Grades 1-5) in Spring 2008. The results of these studies were combined to establish a systematic continuum of text complexity from Grades 1 through 12 (see Williamson, Koons, Sandvik, & Sanford-Moore, 2012). Since the completion of the study by Williamson et al. (2012) many states adopted and implemented the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), Next Generation Science Standards,  National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies, and have undergone other curricular changes. In light of these changes, the objective of the current study was to replicate the research conducted by Williamson et al. (2012) and compare the results from each study.

The following research questions were investigated:

1. Does median text complexity increase with grade level for the texts sampled?
2. Does text complexity vary within grade?
3. Does text complexity vary across content areas?
4. Has textbook complexity in Grades 1 through 12 changed since the text demand study completed in 2012 (Williamson, Koons, Sandvik, & Sanford-Moore)?

Download the full research brief here