Wyoming Uses Lexile and Quantile Measures To Gauge Student Achievement
The state of Wyoming has recently announced the adoption of the Lexile and Quantile measures and their associated Frameworks, aimed at improving student math and reading performance.
The Lexile and Quantile Frameworks tie instructional materials to individual student ability by using a common "measure" defined through assessment. These measures--Lexile for reading, Quantile for math--have been linked to the state's Proficiency Assessment for Wyoming Students (PAWS) reports, set to come out in spring 2009. Educators will be able to use the reports to assign materials based on individual student need.
"By reporting Lexile and Quantile measures from the PAWS, we are providing teachers and parents with the resources they need to help students at all ability levels meet our state learning goals, as well as those mandated by the federal No Child Left Behind law," said Jim McBride, superintendent of public instruction, in a prepared statement. "Because Lexile and Quantile measures support learning in and outside of the classroom, teachers and parents can use these measures to help students strengthen their reading and mathematics abilities and ensure that everyone is on track to achieve at the highest levels possible."
The Lexile and Quantile Measures were developed by North Carolina-based MetaMetrics. Wyoming is the fourth state to adopt both measures as "a means to connect students with instructional materials."
Chris Riedel is a freelance writer based in Illinois. He can be reached here.