All Bridges products are checked for reading levels. For consistency, we use
a standard Flesch-Kincaid reading level evaluation tool found in Microsoft
Word. In general, shorter words and shorter sentences result in lower grade
reading level scores.
Check out "Readability" under Microsoft Word Help to see how these scores are
calculated. The scores used by the Microsoft Flesch-Kincaid tool stop at 12th
grade; when you see that number, the actual score may be higher.
Content written for students in Choices Explorer is aimed at a reading level of just
under 9th grade. In Choices CD, the goal is under 11th grade. Occupational names
and the names of people working in them are just two of the reasons these
goals are sometimes exceeded. Other Bridges products are designed for lower
reading requirements.
Frequently, the tested reading level of a student won't predict his or her
ability to comprehend material shown to be at the same, or even lower, grade
level. The degree of familiarity with the subject matter can influence
comprehension. Also, comprehension is affected by the abstract concepts
presented even in short words -- for instance: "value" and "ability."