How were the cut scores established for the various proficiency levels reported by the SRI?
The cut scores used to define the several SRI performance standards were set using a well-established, conventional norming procedure. A panel of educators, including curriculum specialists, test development consultants, and other relevant educators, was convened to help set the cut scores. This panel first reviewed established reading performance standards that could be reported on the Lexile scale. They reviewed two types of standards: reader-based and text-based standards. For the reader-based standards, panel members were given information about when the standards had been established, the policy definitions of the standards (where available), the proficiency descriptors associated with each standard, the method used to set the standards, and what data, if any, had been given to previous panel members to indicate the consequences of setting the proficiency levels at certain scores. Reader-based standards were derived from several large-scale standardized tests along with state test
