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It’s clear that the Columbus County Schools’ writing test results were very, very low this year.
With passing percentages of only 34.2, 23.1 and 27.2 percent in the fourth, seventh and 10th grades respectively, Columbus County schools fared poorly against other school systems which took the same test in the region. One thing is for certain: Columbus County students need serious work on writing skills.
It’s easy to point fingers when results are so low, but on the other hand, if only 53 percent of the students in the top school system in the region, New Hanover, could pass, then maybe it’s time to take a look at the test itself. It wouldn’t be the first time the state has had to throw out a year’s worth of work by students and teachers because of a faulty test.
But let’s also face facts: the writing skills of most students are poor. Writing, one of the rudimentary skills of basic communication, has been in decline for some time. Even college professors are appalled at the writing skills of students at some of the state’s top universities.
It’s often said that people “write like they talk,” so it’s not so hard to understand why writing is in such a decline. Lyrics, email and Internet chat is so cryptic, it’s amazing that any child can write a sentence with a subject and verb.
Is it pop culture? Is it a lack of emphasis on writing in school? Is it a decline in reading? Are TV and video games to blame? Is it a shoddy test’s fault?
If you answered yes to all of the above, you’re probably correct, but one thing is for sure, writing skills need attention. It’ll be a major uphill climb to reverse the trend – and it won’t all be solved in the classroom.