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Old 10-29-2016, 11:37 AM
 
480 posts, read 664,756 times
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I've seen and heard quite a few parents express "my 1st grader is reading at a 4th grade level!" Or "my 5th grader is reading at a 12th grade level!"


What does this actually mean?
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Old 10-29-2016, 11:39 AM
 
Location: On the Chesapeake
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It means that the kid has taken a series of reading tests or assessments and his/her vocabulary and comprehension is at that particular level.
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Old 10-29-2016, 11:40 AM
 
Location: San Antonio, TX
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The school tests them regularly and there are goals for what reading level they should be at by certain points in the school year. If they're not there, the school may provide tutoring or other services to help them get there.
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Old 10-29-2016, 11:50 AM
 
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I thought it was this:

A large pool of students across many grades all read the same passage. The scores are then compiled.


For example, all students read a passage. The average scores are as follows:


3rd grade - 8
4th grade - 11
5th grade - 15
6th grade - 17
7th grade - 19
12th grade - 25


Student A scores a 11, so her reading comprehension is at a 4th grade level. Student B scores a 19, so his reading level is at a 7th grade level.
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Old 10-29-2016, 11:53 AM
 
Location: On the Chesapeake
44,988 posts, read 59,968,393 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tiredtired View Post
I thought it was this:

A large pool of students across many grades all read the same passage. The scores are then compiled.


For example, all students read a passage. The average scores are as follows:


3rd grade - 8
4th grade - 11
5th grade - 15
6th grade - 17
7th grade - 19
12th grade - 25


Student A scores a 11, so her reading comprehension is at a 4th grade level. Student B scores a 19, so his reading level is at a 7th grade level.
That's one way. Another is to have the students read increasingly difficult passages and take the score from that.
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Old 10-29-2016, 12:28 PM
 
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I still think its amazing how fast kids pick up reading in first and second grade..

with our English language being so confusing

like the words weight and wait then the word date rhymes but spelled totally differently
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Old 10-29-2016, 04:41 PM
 
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The passages are different for different grades. They also have a written component at least in our state. They must be able to answer a question in written form and that usually decides whether they go up to the next reading level. My daughter is in 2nd grade and she has to be an J by then end of the year. My son is in 3rd and has to be a P.

To me that would mean whatever level they are supposed to be in 4th and the child is at that level in 2nd.
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Old 10-29-2016, 05:58 PM
 
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On a practical level, having some idea of your child's reading level is helpful for choosing library books for them. It helps me to identify books that are easy (and fun), just right, and a bit of a reach for them to read independently.
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Old 10-29-2016, 06:20 PM
 
Location: Richmond VA
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It means that parents have something to brag about!

It's not a direct measure of intelligence, good parenting, superior genetics. It makes parents feel good.

IMHO if your Johnny reads at a high 'grade level' you shouldn't go around telling people that. It only annoys people, or makes them envious, and neither of those is good for building relationships. I never told people what level my kids read at, but I know my oldest lost some friends when other parents realized she was ahead of their kids. They didn't want their kids to feel bad.

As your librarian, I beg all parents to take your kids to the library, let them roam if they want, direct them to appropriate choices if they don't want to choose on their own, but make sure they are reading books that are fun or interesting. Please don't worry too much what level they are reading at. If their teacher wants to make sure they are not reading below their level, fine, pick some at or slightly above. But if they also want to check out some LegoNinjago books that you know are too easy, and some books about tigers that you know are too hard, please encourage them. Easy books are comforting, and harder books are your opportunity to read with your child and explore together. And please don't limit them to 3 books for every two weeks. If your kid can't read 3 books in a week, they are reading books that are too hard, or don't have enough family reading time.

Kids generally like to read books about kids who are 1-3 years older than themselves. Publishers know that. Your online library catalog may tell you what the lexile level of each book is, and there are conversion charts online that help translate lexile level into whatever reading program your school is using.

Your biggest challenge is when they want to explore that YA shelf...advanced readers will find content there that you or they aren't old enough to process. If that is the case, you'll have to read with them, or look for websites like this one.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
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Old 10-29-2016, 08:30 PM
 
772 posts, read 1,053,442 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tiredtired View Post
I've seen and heard quite a few parents express "my 1st grader is reading at a 4th grade level!" Or "my 5th grader is reading at a 12th grade level!"


What does this actually mean?

I believe each school district uses a specific reading leveling system. There are quite a few of them and you can find all sorts of published taxonomy online that aims to align the different systems.

For instance, this is a chart that aligns the DRA system and the guided reading level system against the grade level goals http://www.riverview.wednet.edu/curr...LevelChart.pdf


In my kids school, they use DRA leveling system. For instance, kids are expected to finish kindergarten at least at a level 4. And then they are expected to finish 1st grade at level 16 etc. And for each 9 weeks, there is a level goal for which they are tested to ascertain if above/below/at level.

So with your example, if a 1st grader is able to read and comprehend DRA level 50 books for instance, they will be said to be reading at 5th grade level since a 5th grader is expected to comfortably read and comprehend DRA level 50 books
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