As we begin a new school year, your child has completed several assessments designed to help teachers better understand their learning strengths and needs. While this testing happens in a natural classroom setting—so students feel comfortable—it gives teachers valuable insights into how to best support your child’s reading growth throughout the year. In the coming weeks, you’ll receive reports from your child’s teacher that include a Lexile measure—a measure that helps match your child to books that are just right for their current reading ability. Before diving into the numbers, I want to share three important reminders and helpful ways to use this information at home:

1. Don’t panic! This is just one piece!

Your child is so much more than a number or a reading level. A Lexile measure is a helpful snapshot, but it doesn’t define your child’s love of reading, creativity, or potential. Think of it as one piece of the learning puzzle. It is one that helps teachers and families make thoughtful decisions about reading materials that will challenge and engage your child.

2. Use the Lexile measure as a guide for book choices

When you receive your child’s report, you can use this Lexile Grade Level Chart to understand what the measure means in relation to how other students in their grade level perform. This chart can help you guide your child in choosing books, whether at your local library, through your school’s media center, or even while browsing online. Lexile Find a Book is a free database that is great for book searching with your child. You might be surprised to learn that Lexile text measures are also available in many library databases and even on Amazon book listings! This makes it easier than ever to find books that meet your child right where they are.

3. Set goals together and celebrate progress

The best reading growth happens when children set goals and feel supported along the way. Talk with your child about what kind of reader they want to become. Maybe they want to read a full series, tackle a nonfiction book on a favorite topic, or move up a level by the end of the semester.  There are interest filters on  Lexile Find a Book to help narrow your child’s book selection and align with their individual needs:

Keep in contact with your child’s teacher to stay informed about their progress, and don’t forget to celebrate each milestone of growth along the way. Every step forward builds confidence and fosters a lifelong love of reading.

The Bottom Line: A Lexile measure is not a label. It’s a guide. The most important thing you can do is read with your child, talk about books, and make reading a joyful part of everyday life. Every page turned is a step toward stronger comprehension, deeper curiosity, and lifelong learning.