Death of Language

**octalpus** · December 18, 2002, 19:57

In Texas, students are required to pass a standardized test before they are allowed to graduate. It is not a high school equivalency exam. The last test had a knowledge base of about an 8th grade level. This year, a new test is being implemented. This new one is "significantly harder", but I still doubt it gives a true indication of students that deserve to be handed a diploma. Based on a pre-test last spring, passing rates were expected to be around 17-38%. After that news was released, this bomb was dropped...many of those kids may have cheated.

**Chris** · December 18, 2002, 20:00

Re: Death of Language

Originally posted by highwizard
Do they teach grammar in schools anymore?
...
That being say, I reiterate my statement. Do they still teach grammar in schools? I know there are many High School age students on the Message Board and really would like your feed back.

Dude...if you are gonna lay the smack down on grammar...at least use proper grammar in your smack down.

I agree that the grammar and spelling used here is often poor, but I try to remember that not everyone on this board is a native English speaker. They probably do a better job of speaking our language than we do of theirs.

**mfreeck** · December 18, 2002, 20:27

Re: Re: Death of Language

Originally posted by Chris
I agree that the grammar and spelling used here is often poor, but I try to remember that not everyone on this board is a native English speaker. They probably do a better job of speaking our language than we do of theirs.

I agree wholeheartedly, however, usually it is clear when someone is not a native english speaker. The above just looks like stupidity. I got the gist of it, but I found it to be pretty unreadable. Many folks here aren't out of highschool yet, so you could cut some slack there. However, if you come out with the above, you just aren't trying -- and he admits to the laziness.

**ck3k** · December 18, 2002, 22:40

My view on grammar is "if it gets the message across that is all that maters". Its content not apperance. I also know that my grammar sucks, but I quit caring what other people think a long time ago.

**TwinVega** · December 18, 2002, 23:03

yu guyes shuld be mo' betta grammer speekers, I no I am stil en hiskool and I kan tipe realy gud:)

**highwizard** · December 19, 2002, 00:12

Re: Re: Death of Language

Originally posted by Chris
Dude...if you are gonna lay the smack down on grammar...at least use proper grammar in your smack down.

I agree that the grammar and spelling used here is often poor, but I try to remember that not everyone on this board is a native English speaker. They probably do a better job of speaking our language than we do of theirs.

I said in my post that my grammar is not the best. However, it was an honest question to people. What kind of standardized testing do they give today? What are the requirements to be "passed along". I didn't think I was laying the smack down, but if I came across that way, so be it. I tried to do the best job I can in correcting my own grammar. If someone see's something wrong with my sentence structure (I am notorious for short choppy ones) then by all means tell me. It will hopefully help me down the line.

**highwizard** · December 19, 2002, 00:19

Originally posted by ck3k
My view on grammar is "if it gets the message across that is all that maters". Its content not apperance. I also know that my grammar sucks, but I quit caring what other people think a long time ago.

I agree with you to an extent. Getting the point across is most important. Though posting in this environment or any online environment can be a way to enhance yourself for academic situations. It's like anything you do in life, the more you work at it, the better you get.

**octalpus** · December 19, 2002, 07:17

Originally posted by ck3k
My view on grammar is "if it gets the message across that is all that maters". Its content not apperance. I also know that my grammar sucks, but I quit caring what other people think a long time ago.

That's just it. That kid's writing was so poor, the message WASN'T getting across. Blackwave tried to take a guess at what he was saying, but it was pretty damn incoherent.

**begformore** · December 19, 2002, 08:47

Originally posted by ck3k
My view on grammar is "if it gets the message across that is all that maters".

Bad grammar is a barrier to fluid conversation.

It's like speaking with a person with a heavy stutter. Bless their poor souls, but I don't have the patience to listen to them speak for 5 minutes when a 'normal' speaking person could communicate the same thought in 1 minute.

"Getting the message across" doesn't have any meaning when the receiver has already stopped trying to comprehend that message.

I'm not that great at grammar either, but I take the time to spell check and proof-read my comments in consideration of the reader.

Its content not apperance. I also know that my grammar sucks, but I quit caring what other people think a long time ago.

If you aren't considerate of your readers, they won't care about what you have to say either.

**astcell** · December 19, 2002, 08:50

Poor grammar gives a bad image of you, no matter how well intended your message is, it will be lost or dismissed by the receiver. The same for people who swear fluently, they are given less credibility.

We have spell checkers and even a thesaurus in software today!

**blackwave** · December 19, 2002, 09:13

when all else fails draw pictures... didn't you know a picture is worth a thousand words ?

**/<3.** · December 19, 2002, 09:21

Originally posted by octalpussy
In Texas, students are required to pass a standardized test before they are allowed to graduate. It is not a high school equivalency exam. The last test had a knowledge base of about an 8th grade level. This year, a new test is being implemented. This new one is "significantly harder", but I still doubt it gives a true indication of students that deserve to be handed a diploma. Based on a pre-test last spring, passing rates were expected to be around 17-38%. After that news was released, this bomb was dropped..

Same here in Ontario
In grade 10 u have to take the test
If u dont pass the test before grade 12 you don't graduate = (
I passed the first time so i am good

anyways in Ontario its called the Literacy Test
Its about 3 days long

**sparkles** · December 19, 2002, 09:32

Originally posted by blackwave
when all else fails draw pictures... didn't you know a picture is worth a thousand words ?

goes to get the crayons...

**TwinVega** · December 19, 2002, 09:56

Originally posted by blackwave
when all else fails draw pictures... didn't you know a picture is worth a thousand words ?

Hmm, picture huh? Good idea...you won't even have to try and spell all of the thousand words right...of course you kind of need to know how to draw. Pictionary anyone?

Death of Language

Death of Language

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