Text Complexity Form
The appropriateness of texts for use on the Regents Exam in English Language Arts (Common Core) is evaluated through the use of both quantitative and qualitative analysis in accordance with the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects Appendix A requirements.
The Quantitative Analysis of each text is conducted using the Lexile Framework and at least two other measures such as ATOS, DRP, Flesch-Kincaid, etc. These measures are based on computer analysis of text characteristics, such as word length or frequency, sentence length, and text coherence. While these measures provide an indication of text complexity, they are inappropriate for poetry and may underestimate or overstate the complexity of some texts. Texts that score outside of the 11th-CCR Band must be justified for use on the test by the Qualitative Analysis.
The Qualitative Analysis of all texts is conducted by experienced English teachers who evaluate the appropriateness of the text for the test based on its content, knowledge demands, richness and complexity, structure and organization, and language use and vocabulary.
Educators may consider using the Text Complexity Form in their own classrooms to ensure the texts their students are using meet the text complexity demands of the Common Core and are thus similar to those texts that students will encounter on the Regents Examination and in college and their careers. In addition, the Text Complexity form can be used in professional development opportunities to calibrate adult understanding around text complexity as articulated by the Common Core.
Downloadable Resources
Text Complexity Form 
(351.06 KB)