Published: March 18, 2025
Reading levels are a way of determining the reading skills a child already has. They measure a child’s reading comprehension and fluency using a variety of factors like phonemic awareness, decoding, and vocabulary.
Schools give reading assessments one or more times yearly using one of several available systems. The Guided Reading Level (GRL) developed by Fountas and Pinnell is a popular system used in schools.
To determine reading levels using GRL, children sit one-on-one with their teacher and read from a book considered standard for their grade level – a “benchmark” book. A child’s reading level is classified alphabetically from A to Z. GRL books are organized from A to Z, with A being the easiest.
Each GRL reading level is associated with a grade level. For example, it is recommended that students in grade 1 read at levels E through J.
Reading levels are designed to build confidence by guiding children toward books that will challenge but not frustrate them.
Reading levels are also used to:
- Group students for instruction
- Identify students who need interventions
- Assess the outcomes of teaching strategies
- Document student progress during a school year
- Inform parents of progress over a period of time
Tips for Parents
Remember, reading levels are helpful but aren’t the only tool for choosing books for your child.
If a child is willing to tackle a more difficult book because the subject matter interests them, let them! On the other hand, if they want to reread an old favorite just for fun, that’s great, too.
The most important thing is to keep kids reading!
Our Services
Our certified teachers and reading specialists are experienced in literacy development and comprehension.
Our reading services include:
- Orton-Gillingham reading remediation
- Dyslexia screening
- One-on-one instruction with a certified reading specialist
- ELA tutoring
- Small group book clubs