DURHAM, NC--(Marketwire - Jul 25, 2012) - MetaMetrics®, developer of the Lexile® Framework for Reading, today announced that individuals from over 45 states have pledged to read more than 21,000 books this summer. In partnership with the Council of Chief State School Officers, MetaMetrics coordinates the Chief's Summer Reading Challenge to combat the summer learning loss epidemic. For the 2012 summer, MetaMetrics launched the Summer Reading Pledge, a new resource for states to utilize for their summer reading programs.
The Chief's Summer Reading Challenge is a national, state-led summer reading initiative that bolsters student reading achievement during summer break. This reading initiative raises national awareness of the summer learning loss epidemic, as well as shares compelling research on the importance of personalized reading activities and provides access to a variety of free resources to support targeted reading and the initiative as a whole. Released for the first time this summer, the Summer Reading Pledge is one of the free features of the Chief's Summer Reading Challenge.
The Summer Reading Pledge is a fun and easy way for students, parents, educators and lifelong learners to set reading goals this summer. Free to all, MetaMetrics offers this tool on their "Find a Book" website and on 14 state-personalized "Find a Book" webpages. With the Summer Reading Pledge, MetaMetrics records the number of books pledged within states and their school districts. MetaMetrics also offers prize incentives to encourage summer reading.
"The Summer Reading Pledge is an exciting new addition to the summer reading programs that we package for education leaders to implement in their states," said Malbert Smith III, Ph.D., President and Co-founder of MetaMetrics. "A fun and easy tool, the Summer Reading Pledge sets reading goals for the summer months -- the most crucial months for us to keep our kids reading in efforts to offset the negative effects of the summer learning loss epidemic. In fact, I pledged to read seven books this summer, and, as of July 25th, I have finished four of the books."
Among the books Malbert Smith pledged to read this summer include Socratic Circles by Matt Copeland, Profiles in Courage (1410L) by John F. Kennedy, Great By Choice by Jim Collins, The Tipping Point (1160L) by Malcolm Gladwell, How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster, and Fever Pitch (1340L) by Nick Hornby.
The summer reading pledge is one of many resources MetaMetrics offers to states to use in their implementation of summer reading programs. Lexile measures help librarians, teachers and parents to find books, articles and other resources within a reader's recommended Lexile range: 100L below to 50L above his or her Lexile measure. Reading materials within this optimal range will challenge the individual's reading ability, while still maintaining interest and learning.
The Lexile Framework is a unique tool for accurately matching readers with text. Unlike other measurement systems, the Lexile Framework evaluates reading ability and growth based on actual assessment results, rather than generalized age or grade levels. Lexile measures are recognized globally as the most widely used reading metric. Tens of millions of Lexile measures are reported annually from reading assessments and programs.
MetaMetrics is focused on improving education for learners of all ages and ability levels. The organization develops scientific measures of academic achievement and complementary technologies that link assessment results with real-world instruction. MetaMetrics' products and services for reading (The Lexile Framework for Reading, El Sistema Lexile para Leer), mathematics (The Quantile® Framework for Mathematics), and writing (The Lexile® Framework for Writing) provide unique insights about academic ability and the potential for growth, enabling individuals to achieve their goals at every stage of development. Connect with the organization at: http://blog.lexile.com.