Project for the African Lexile Framework Kickstarter.https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lexiles4africa/a-for-africa-reading-at-the-right-level-improves-literacy

1. I would like to share our idea…

2. ….triggered by something I read, that got me thinking.
‘literacy is fundamental to learning with many
of the associated benefits correlating
positively with success in adult life.’

3. The Lexile Framework is the most common way of measuring text
complexity.
It enables children’s reading skills to be matched accurately to the
right books using a single scale.
We can scientifically and subjectively measure children’s reading
levels.
By reading at their targeted level children’s reading skills will improve
and we can measure that improvement over time.
At the time I was Director for Africa at Scholastic, working with a team from
Metametrics, developers of the Lexile Framework…

4. The Lexile Framework can also provide insight to the reading levels required for
specific careers.
We believe this may help give guidance and motivation to those in formal and
non-formal education…
…or help the transition between grades or schools, ensuring children are able to
understand the books they are reading.

5. Combining US research, with local and international literature and mobile
technology to measure and monitor improvement
Measuring educational outcomes is part of the Sustainable Development Goal 4
and is a prominent feature discussed at international conferences.
I shared my idea with my African partners. Like me, they too recognised the
potential for the Lexile Framework in Africa.

6. We want to create a lexiled bank of the most popular African children’s literature
as well as those texts identified on government booklists for use in schools.
We are also working to develop a mobile app which can be used to complete an
adaptive assessment to accurately identify the lexile level of every child.
the app can be used by parents to test their children
by children to test themselves
by libraries/ booksellers to identify the books they need for their
customers
by teachers to measure performance over time.
and by the out-of-school to give them hope
Our Vision

7. Within 10 years, 20m Lexile tests are conducted every year in Africa on mobile devices,
at schools, in bookshops or at homes or businesses. As a consequence literacy rates
across Africa improve measurably.
There is a lot of interest in Kenya, Rwanda and Nigeria, at state schools, among private
school owners and teachers, community librarians, parents and booksellers.
We want to establish whether the Lexile Framework can offer hope to those with no
formal schooling or paper qualifications but who can read. We aim to speak with local
businesses who might consider a lexile test, in part, as a measure of academic
competence. Indeed to offer the test to businesses to help improve their workforces
potential.
We want to ensure that the early grades are dedicated to literacy
…continued

8. Issac was walking through
When Isaac walks to
school he has a big smile
on his face.
He likes school
He does not like
school
He stays at home
He runs to school
Marceline enjoys eating
fish. If allowed to, she
would eat fish all day
long.
She eats fish all day
She likes to eat fish
She does not like fish
She cooks fish
Well Done William
You have finished the Lexile
quiz
Your Lexile Score is
650L
he Lexile assessment is a multiple choice quiz that adapts to the child’s answe

9. wrong answers
As a child gets a question right, the next is more difficult. If they answer a
question incorrectly the next is easier. The algorithms analyse the results and
assign a Lexile Score - 690L
final wrong answer
690L

10. As they read more their scores improve, and they become more
motivated.
Each child receives a unique test which can last up to 30 minutes
and is very accurate.
When the child gets their lexile score, they read books which are
between 100L below and 50L above.
A child should be tested once every 3 months. In between tests, they
read for PLEASURE at their targeted level.

11. Stakeholders with vested interests become more vocal and active.
There are several key pillars upon which the project rests
Price, it has to be cheap and available to everyone. Children at the
highest ranked schools, as well as those at the lowest must have
access.
Easy to use with limited outside training or support. Simple, simple,
simple to encourage use and keep costs low.
The project needs to be inclusive. All stakeholders must benefit;
authors, publishers, bookseller, parents, librarians, teachers and
children.
It needs to be sustainable so that future revenues cover costs of
ongoing development.

12. Booksellers & Librarians
Publishers, booksellers, librarians, teachers, parents and pupils will
all have access to the tests.
Books can be Lexiled and given a numeric level. They can then be
organised by difficulty. Parents can be directed to the books which
match their child’s ability.
Booksellers can check their inventory and make more precise
purchases based on their customers needs and levels.
Booksellers/ publishers can work with school librarians and teachers
to ensure the school library is stocked with books that match the
children’s lexile levels.
For children to improve their Lexile score they need to read more at
their targeted level. They become motivated to read by visiting
libraries or buying more books.

13. Careers
Metametrics analysed, measured and lexiled reading materials that
commonly occur or are needed in 250 different careers.
The results are based on years of research in the US, looking at
reading materials in the post-secondary training and education
domain.
In future we hope to offer Students use of the career database to
identify the reading ability needed for their particular career path.
Students can identify the reading level of a particular career and use
the information to set their own goals and support their career
objectives.
Fireman 1260L
Construction Labourer
1130L
Welder 1175L
Paediatrician 1440L

14. Thanks for listening, please share.