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How to Determine Middle & High School Reading Levels

"More than 20 percent of adults read at or below a fifth-grade level -- far below the level needed to earn a living wage." This statistic, cited by the National Institute for Literacy, shows the importance of continual evaluation in determining reading levels for students. In particular, parents and teachers must monitor reading levels for middle school and high school students, whom they are preparing for college and the working world. With the correct resources and time, students' reading levels can be easily calculated so that they will receive the appropriate assistance to prepare them for life after school.

Things You'll Need

  • A reading evaluation tool (computer software, copies of a grammar test, etc.)
  • Contact information of school officials
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Instructions

    • 1

      Locate computer resources. Most school districts have computer software programs that evaluate students' reading levels. A popular one at many schools is provided by Renaissance Learning, the company responsible for the widespread reading incentive program Accelerated Reader (AR). Ask your child's teacher if the student can take a STAR Reading test, which is a series of multiple choice reading questions answered on a computer. Discuss the results of the STAR test with the teacher to find out what level your student should be reading at.

    • 2

      Inquire about other comprehensive grammar tests. In addition to computer tests, many teachers administer comprehensive English assessments throughout the year, which they find in their textbooks or other resources. Request that your child's teacher at the middle or high school give a grammar test. Consult the teacher to find out the score. Generally, if your child gets most of the questions wrong, the student's reading level is far below his or her current grade level. If they get all of them right, they may be reading well above their grade level. Talk to your child's teacher to analyze the test results.

    • 3

      Consult a librarian. Middle and high school libraries usually have a wide selection of books in all reading levels. Bring your computer and comprehensive grammar test reports to the library and share the results with a librarian. Ask the librarian which books are appropriate for your child to read. Select books that are within the child's reading level range, so the books are not too easy or too difficult.

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