I think that talking about education is always iffy, especially when it’s compared to previous generations. The comparison is always comparing today’s youths to yesterdays youths… i.e. they never question what today’s youth knows that yesterdays, didn’t know. For example, education today is far more varied than 20 years ago, so it’s normal that people may not be as good at math or English if they don’t study it as much as they did 20 years ago. I’m sure that if they compare what people knew today and what people knew 20 years ago, today’s people would not seem stupid as they have a much broader general knowledge of a lot of subjects. But unfortunately, this kind of comparison is never done.
As for literacy, I find it hard to believe that people today are as illiterate as the news says. I’m sure that when these teens become older and are obligated to use proper English at work, they won’t have problems. Teens are lazy and sometimes, even if they know something is incorrect, they will not bother to correct it.

So its official. Kids have become too stupid to differentiate between txtspk / l33t speak abbreviations and normal language. More precisely, they couldn't give a sh*t.
Its just proof that kids get it too easy these days. They can do mostly what they want and there is no discipline for them. Whats the incentive for them to take any route that requires more effort?

Yes, Pew International is a creditable team - just check out their Advisory Board. But a phone survey of 700 teens is hardly a sampling upon which to base any theory. It is a good justification for a more in-depth study, but not a result for basing corrective action.

This is blaming only the students for their lack of writing skills (or incentive to use them).

Where is the blame for the parents that don't review their child's school work, and don't correct their verbal usage at home?

Where is the blame for the teachers not addressing the difference and enforcing standards in their classrooms? And I am not just talking about English teachers.

Where is the blame for the school administration for a curriculum that does not require students learn writing skills before progressing? I even wondered about this my senior year in high school when I transferred to Texas and discovered that English was not a required course for seniors. I took it as an elective!

Not all the blame rests with the student and the device in their hands.

And Excessum, you are right about this sort of ignorance is just what some governments could use to further oppress people. You don't have to censor the press or any other writers, if no one is bothering to read it or can't understand it.

Hmmm, maybe I shouldn't gripe since I am being paid to correct the writing of my co-workers before publication. This trend is definitely adding to my job security.

I think that's the best point. It scares me, I'm terrified by this diffusion of idiocy but I'm believing that they're really trying to make us so stupid that we'd obey and support them anyway. And where I live it's getting worse...

That's just frightening. I think it's more a case of laziness than anything else. There is no way teens are confusing these. If they sit through any language or literature class they know better. Honestly, I've been texting and IMing for years and I am not stupid enough to think that chat speak has any place in the written word. Please, just think about it. These kids are lazy, not stupid.:rolleyes: They just don't want to take the time to actually write out a full paper.

My question is why aren't their parents putting a stop to it? TalnSG is right. Some of the blame belongs to the parents as well. My mother raised me old school. If I'd have brought home a paper like that....*shudder*not only would I have gotten a very stern talking to ,but I would have more than likely gotten my rear end busted and had my phone and internet taken away had it continued. My parents were always strict on grades and it showed. I stayed in the Beta Club. :cool: My parents would have never put up with such nonsense and if I had a child, neither would I.

I have 3 neices between 9 and 16 and their father is an IT Director. (They also have 2 teachers and another techno-geek as "elders"). You can bet they are steeped in tech-speak. But I have seen the school work and their schools have the same standards mine did when it comes to written work. I can just imagine the reaction if any of the family caught them writing the same way they IM or Text. :eek:

If your reply is aimed at me calling the teens stupid, then re-read what I say below.

I thought the highlighted would also be taken by people to mean "teens are lazy".
Also, the point I brought up about there being no discipline or any incentive for them to work harder, is supposed to make you think and say "right, the kids need better parenting".
So yea, i've already made the points you and others have outlined. :rolleyes:

I know. It wasn't aimed at you. :mtongue: I did read your response, I was just stating my own feelings on it. They just happen to be in line with yours.:cool:

Ok :mtongue: Just in case :D

So, r u talking about them complaining about people shortening words & phrases in writing or in text? well its not entirely true, I have a friend(darkbeauty11) who uses text lingo & reads above college level it even amazes me b/c we are only in 9th grade!:eek: