Glossary of Literacy Terminology

Oral Reading Fluency

Fluency is the ability to read accurately, quickly, and with expression. Oral reading fluency is calculated by measuring a student’s reading rate and accuracy on a grade-level passage. This score is compared to national normative data to determine the student’s ability level.

Reading Accuracy

Accuracy is the number of words read correctly divided by the total words read. For example, a student who reads 95 out of 100 words of text correctly has read with 95% accuracy.

Lexile Range

Lexile range measures overall reading ability and comprehension. The score is derived from answering questions based on passages of text. Lexile ranges are often calculated electronically when students are administered computerized assessments such as the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP).

Fountas & Pinnell Level (guided reading level)

District 64 uses the Fountas and Pinnell leveling system. This spans from levels A-Z (the higher the letter, the more challenging the text). Reading rate (speed), accuracy, and comprehension are measured and the combined score determines an individual child’s level.

Independent Reading Level

Independent reading level refers to text that students can read with a smooth oral reading fluency rate, 97%-100% accuracy, and excellent comprehension.

Instructional Reading Level (Guided Reading Level)

Instructional reading level refers to text that the students can read with a fair (somewhat choppy) oral reading fluency rate, 94%-96% accuracy, and fair comprehension. This level of text is manageable, but the child may need support with decoding words or comprehension.

Frustration Reading Level

Frustration reading level refers to text that the student cannot read fluently (sound by sound), with less than or equal to 93% accuracy, and poor comprehension. This level of text is not manageable for independent reading or guided reading, but is suitable for read aloud purposes.

Correlation Chart

The correlation chart below details the grade level, Fountas and Pinnell level, and Lexile Range for typically developing students for grades K-5.

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