Modification of the Coleman Readability Formulas

In 1965, Coleman published four readability formulas which yielded relatively high multiple Rs in predicting readability for college level adults. Four new formulas that account for an even higher percentage of variance were derived by (1) using a more reliable criterion and (2) a better selection of predictors. Predictors were selected according to ease of scoring as well as according to percentage of variance explained. In fact, the three major predictors (certainly the two major predictors) could probably be scored by an easily developed optical scanning device. If such a scanner were developed, it might lower cost to the point that a central agency could routinely score all books for readability. A cross-validation study supported the modified formulas and indicated that they could also be used for readers below college level.