Final answer:
The average Lexile score for an 8th grader ranges from about 805L to 1100L, representing a student's reading ability compared to grade-level benchmarks and percentile rankings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The average Lexile score for an 8th grader typically ranges from about 805L to 1100L. This score represents a student's reading ability and correlates with the grade-level benchmarks established to track reading development. The Lexile measure aligns with various scoring scales for reading proficiency and can be informed by national percentile rankings that show how a student compares to others in the same grade.
For instance, if a student scores better than 80 percent of their peers, this would place them in a higher percentile and likely above the average Lexile measure for their grade. Conversely, scoring lower would indicate a Lexile measure that is possibly below the average range for their grade. This measure is an important tool for educators to tailor reading materials to the student's current ability, to challenge them just enough to promote growth without causing frustration.