[NIFL-HEALTH:4522] RE: Lexiles and Readability Tests

From: Hurtado, Margarita (MHurtado@air.org)
Date: Mon Aug 23 2004 - 11:54:47 EDT


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From: "Hurtado, Margarita" <MHurtado@air.org>
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Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:4522] RE: Lexiles and Readability Tests
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I don't have an answer for Chris' question but have a related one:

Is anyone aware of ways to test readibility of health surveys directed to consumers? 
We often say we want to write them at an "8th grade" level or lower. However, many of the reading level assessment methods are designed for longer pieces of texts. Surveys are already short sentences so the score may be artificially low.

Also, are any aware of instruments that have been validated to test readibility in SPANISH either for long text or surveys?

Any suggestions on best methods to use in these cases?

Thanks,
Margarita
--------------------------------
Margarita P. Hurtado, Ph.D., M.H.S. 
Principal Research Scientist 
American Institutes for Research (AIR) 
10720 Columbia Pike- Suite 500
Silver Spring, MD 20901 
Voice: (301) 592-2215 
Fax: (301) 593-9433 
mhurtado@air.org 


-----Original Message-----
From: nifl-health@nifl.gov [mailto:nifl-health@nifl.gov]On Behalf Of
Chris Flood
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2004 10:21 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:4520] Lexiles and Readability Tests


Hello Fellow List Serv Members: 

I am seeking information on The Lexile Framework. In particular, I would
like to know if you can use this method to test the readability of
short, written health-related pieces e.g. brochures or fact sheets. I
have been using the FRY for years but would like to know more about
Lexiles and how it compares to some of the other, more commonly used
methods e.g .FRY. SMOG, Flesh Ease, etc. 

Can you help me?  Any information would be appreciated as I know nothing
about this method and would like to know more. In addition, can you tell
me what readability test is now considered the gold standard for testing
health education materials for persons with low literacy and low health
literacy skills? 

Thank you in advance for your time and expertise.

Chris Flood, Program Leader
Michigan State University Extension
210 Michigan Avenue
South Haven, MI  49090
Phone:  (269) 639-0002
Email:  floodc@msue.msu.edu
Bringing Knowledge to Life!
 
"The first wealth is health."  Ralph Waldo Emerson



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