This document discusses strategies for teaching students to read complex texts, including: 1. Using quantitative and qualitative measures to determine the complexity level of texts and place them in appropriate grade bands. Quantitative measures use computer analysis while qualitative measures rely on human analysis of elements like purpose, structure and language. 2. Developing text-dependent questions that can only be answered by close reading of the text. These questions should focus students' attention on the text. 3. Employing strategies like the gradual release of responsibility model to scaffold students' independent reading of complex texts. This includes initially reading texts aloud and modeling comprehension strategies.