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and averaged to account for the differences in formula design, which includes the
variables in the mathematical calculations used (Szabo & Sinclair, 2012). As seen
below and in the Table, 11 formulas are listed, but each textbook reviewed in this
study only used 10 popular formulas, as Dale-Chall is used for Grade 4 and below
while Spache is used for Grade 4 and above. Additionally, all formulas used in this
study are found free online by using the title of the formula.
• Fry Readability Formula Calculator. This formula was developed by
Dr. Becky Barton Edward Fry (1968). It considers the number of sentences and syllables per 100
Sinclair is a professor words. The mathematical results are then plotted on a graph linked to grade levels.
at Texas A&M University- • Raygor Readability Formula Calculator. This formula was developed by
Commerce in the College Alton Raygor (1977). It examines the number of words that have six or more letters
of Education, with a
focus on elementary and and the number of sentences per 100 words. The mathematical results are plotted on
secondary level science a graph created to link to a grade level (Baldwin & Kaufman, 1979).
education. Her research • Dale-Chall Readability Formula Calculator. This formula was created by
interests include science Edgar Dale and Jeanne Chall (1948). It is unique from other formulas in that it
education for children counts “hard words” (those words not on their 3,000 common-vocabulary word
and teachers, classroom list specially designed with common words familiar to Grade 4 students) into
environments, and teacher
action research. its calculations rather than syllable or letter counts. In 1995, their verb and noun
vocabulary list was expanded to include plurality and tense (Chall & Dale, 1995).
Becky.Sinclair@TAMUC. This formula is used on textbooks for Grade 4 and higher.
edu • Spache Readability Formula Calculator. This formula was developed by

George Spache (1952). It compares words in a text with his list of everyday words
that someone up to Grade 4 should understand. It calculates the grade level of a text
sample based on sentence length and number of unfamiliar words (words not on the
list). This formula is used with texts for children below Grade 4.
• Readability Consensus Calculator. This measure calculates the number of
sentences, words, syllables, and characters in text samples and “plugs them into
seven popular readability formulas” to provide a new average grade level. These
seven formulas are as follows:
▷Coleman-Liau Index. This formula examines the number of letters in a
word and the number of sentences per 300 words in the text. It was created for
the U.S. Department of Education to calculate the readability of textbooks for
schools (Coleman & Liau, 1975).
▷Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level. Rudolph Flesch’s readability research (1948)
made him an early authority in the field, and he inspired additional readability
formula variations and applications (Kincaid et al., 1975). The formula looks at
the number of words and sentence length per 100 words to determine a grade-
level reading score. This readability formula was first used by the Department
of Defense to determine the difficulty level of technical manuals and today is
a standard function on all Microsoft Word products (Zamanian & Heydari,
2012).
▷Flesch-Kincaid Ease of Reading. Higher scores in this test indicate that
the written material is easier to read. This score, computed by a standardized
formula involving ratios of total words/total sentences and total syllables/total
words, is widely used across commercial and governmental sectors.
▷Gunning Fog Index. This score is determined by looking at the number of
major punctuation marks, the number of words, and the number of 3+ syllable
words. The mathematical results are linked to a grade level.

28 The Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin: International Journal for Professional Educators