Wondering how Reading Grade Level is Determined

[momofabcd]

This is probably a question for Carrie. I've been plugging book titles into scholastic book wizard and noticed that they consistently grade books at a higher grade level than the same books in your book shop. For example, The Courage of Sarah Noble is graded 3.4 here as opposed to 4.4 at scholastic. Is literacy so bad that they are now regrading books to make kids feel better? Wagon Wheels is graded 3.4 at the book wizard site and I think 2.5 here. It seems consistent across the board that they are grading books at least one year ahead of the same books graded here. That caused me to wonder what system Carrie uses to come up with book gradings.

[LynnH]

I am pretty sure that Carrie said in the past that she used AR (Accelerated Reader) levels. Looking at an AR book finder that looks right.

[momofabcd]

Thanks. I'll check that out.

[Carrie]

Deena,

Lynn did a great job of answering your question. This past thread will be of help too. Link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5032&p=37063