Aligning the Lexile Framework for Reading to the Common European Framework of Reference

The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is the most widely-used framework to describe students’ language learning progress on tests and in classrooms. International language tests align student test scores to CEFR levels so that students’ performances can be interpreted with CEFR can-do descriptors, therefore making test scores more meaningful (Green, 2018).

The Lexile® Framework for Reading utilizes the psychometric concept of conjoint measurement and places both reader ability measures and text complexity measures on the same scale. The Lexile scale was calibrated in such a way that when the text complexity is controlled within a certain range of the reader ability measure, the reader will find the text within their zone of optimal development, that is, “challenging but not frustrating” to read. Through this approach, the Lexile Framework for Reading has brought meaning to test scores and made the scores actionable.

Because of this unique feature, over 23 states within the U.S. and many more testing institutions internationally have linked their test scores to the Lexile Framework and added student Lexile® reading measures to their score reports. Numerous publishers also license the Lexile® Text Analyzer (i.e., an automated text leveling software) to measure their books and use Lexile® text measures to guide readers to select books at the right level. As CEFR and the Lexile Framework share the same goal of bringing meaning to measures on either the text or the reader side, it is useful to understand the relationship between these two frameworks.

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