Originally Posted by Val
Originally Posted by Bostonian
To some extent the poor writing may be the result of poor teaching in K-12, but I think the primary cause is low intelligence in many students. About 1/6 of the population has IQ <= 85, and the writing samples may illustrate the thinking and writing that the left tail of the bell curve is capable of.

Low IQ would explain some of the poor writing, but it wouldn't explain the grading.

It does if it is politically unacceptable to flunk too many people out of high school. The political pressure to graduate everyone is increasing. In his latest State of the Union Address, the president told states they should require everyone to stay in high school until they graduate or turn 18.

"To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle." - George Orwell