These tools were all developed in response to the need for additional information about text complexity when the Common Core State Standards were published. The text complexity triangle that was published in Appendix A of the ELA standards (where text complexity is discussed in great detail and is well worth reading!) framed our work.
They are available to use without limit, to adapt, and to pass along. For more refined versions of these tools, and additional Common Core resources, please see www.achievethecore.org .
Quantitative Tools:
Specifically, the Race to the Text project was charged with identifying and evaluating all the quantitative measurement tools (computer based tools) by conducting a research project with all the groups that compared their tools ability to predict grade level ratings and student difficulty with text against the tools scoring of the same text. That research is in pre-publication and is stored here.
The quick guide to all the tools on a common scale to align with the new Common Core Standards grade band levels is also published here as a concordance table.
There is also a link to all the Beta sites for the different quantitative groups. Part of the condition of joining the research was that each group had to maintain a public access portal so individuals could use the tool to analyze text. Feel free to use these tools and to press on the groups to continue to publicize and refine these beta sites.
Qualitative Tools
The project also assembled groups of teachers at all grade levels in lots of different cities and states that have adopted the Standards. They were asked to develop and then field test a teacher-friendly tool for assessing qualitative features of text. Those scales - one per band - are also stored here and are free for the taking.
Professional Judgment
We were committed to providing a simple checklist for professional judgement of text - what still mattered in deciding whether or not to teach a text to your students.
All of these tools are in their own folders. Concordance Table, Handy tools for Implementing instruction with text complexity; Professional Judgement Checklist, Qualitative Scales, and the final report of the text complexity research project.