Amazon.co.jp Provides Lexile Measures for English Books

DURHAM, NC--(Marketwired - Apr 3, 2013) - MetaMetrics®, developer of The Lexile® Framework for Reading, today announced the addition of Lexile® measures to "Amazon.co.jp". Amazon.co.jp is adding Lexile measures to English language titles, including many current bestsellers, at http://www.amazon.co.jp/e-reading. Amazon.co.jp visitors can filter book search results by Lexile levels to inform their reading choices based on text complexity.

"Learning English as a foreign language does not have to be frustrating," said Dr. Malbert Smith III, co-founder and president of MetaMetrics. "By adding Lexile measures to their books, Amazon.co.jp is enabling its customers to find high-interest titles that match their individual reading levels. These are two main ingredients for creating positive reading experiences that enhance learning and growth. This exciting new partnership significantly advances our mission to help readers of all ages and abilities achieve their learning goals while developing a lifelong love of reading."

"With the growing importance of English as a language of global opportunity, we applaud Amazon.co.jp for their strong commitment to English language learning," added Todd Sandvik, senior vice president of global services. "Lexile measures are having a positive impact in education around the world, and the launch at Amazon.co.jp will greatly extend the benefits throughout Japan."

The Lexile Framework for Reading is a scientific tool that places readers and texts on a common measurement scale. Lexile measures range from below 200L for beginner level readers and texts to 1600L and above for advanced level readers and texts. Lexile measures enable students, educators and parents to find materials that match a reader's optimal level for learning, which is typically 100L below to 50L above his or her Lexile measure. Reading within this range promotes appropriate challenge with less frustration, which can help learners build confidence in their developing skill and enjoy reading more. Using Lexile measures also helps individuals track their progress toward university and career readiness in reading, which research generally finds to be 1200L and above in settings worldwide.

A book receives a Lexile measure when MetaMetrics analyzes the full text using proprietary software that evaluates the semantic and syntactic characteristics. To date, MetaMetrics has measured millions of articles and books from hundreds of publishers and authors. For a limited time, MetaMetrics is offering Japanese publishers of English books and learning materials special rates for measuring their titles in order to feature them on Amazon.co.jp. "We will make it easy for publishers in Japan to share this valuable information with the learning community," stated Sandvik.

A reader receives a Lexile measure by taking a test that has been linked with the Lexile scale. In the U.S., Lexile measures are provided annually to over 30 million K-12 students in all states through dozens of high stakes assessments, formative assessments, and reading programs. In Japan, popular tests that have been linked with the Lexile scale include ETS's TOEFL iBT® test, TOEFL® Junior™ test and TOEIC® Listening & Reading test. Lexile measures are also reported from the Scholastic Reading Inventory, and links to more assessments used throughout Japan are anticipated over the coming year.

MetaMetrics is also partnered locally in Japan with the Institute for International Business Communication (IIBC) and Global Communications & Testing (GC&T, a Kumon Group company), to deliver Lexile-based resources and support for their respective test taking communities.

Recognized as the most widely used measure of English reading, Lexile measures today connect tens of millions of students to more than 100 million articles and books through extensive partnerships in government, publishing, technology and research. For more information, visit www.Lexile.com.

About MetaMetrics
MetaMetrics is focused on improving education for learners of all ages and ability levels. The organization develops scientific measures of academic achievement and complementary technologies that link assessment results with real-world instruction. MetaMetrics' products and services for reading (The Lexile® Framework for Reading, El Sistema Lexile® para Leer), mathematics (The Quantile® Framework for Mathematics), and writing (The Lexile® Framework for Writing) provide unique insights about academic ability and the potential for growth, enabling individuals to achieve their goals at every stage of development. Connect with the organization at: http://blog.lexile.com.

About Amazon.co.jp (www.amazon.co.jp)
Amazon.co.jp opened on the World Wide Web in November 2000 with the goal to be everything individuals need to achieve their goals at every stage and to find and discover anything they might want to buy online. Now, Amazon.co.jp offers over 50 million unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Japanese Books; International Books; CDs, DVDs; Software; Games; Electronics & Cameras; Home & Kitchen, Toys & Hobby; Sports & Outdoors; Health & Beauty; Cosmetics; Watches; Baby & Maternity; Apparel & Fashion Goods; Grocery; Jewelry; Stationery; Office Supplies; DIY, Tools, Auto & Bike Parts; Musical Instruments; and Pet Supplies.

The Amazon.co.jp mobile marketplace platform can be accessed through i-mode, EZweb, Yahoo!keitai and WILLCOM. With Amazon.co.jp cutting edge technology -- including the recommendations feature and convenient checkout with "1-Click® Shopping" -- you can purchase merchandise via secure credit card payment, COD, convenience store payment, ATM, internet banking, and the Edy payment system. Amazon.co.jp offers customers a wide variety of delivery options, including free shipping, same-day express shipping, express shipping, fixed-time shipping, and regularly-scheduled shipping amongst other services.

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Amazon.co.jp is an international affiliate of Amazon.com, Inc., a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, WA, USA. Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, and www.amazon.cn.

*Amazon, Amazon.co.jp and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.