Get Schooled

By Kage

July 13, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this

Oooh, I love this topic. This is a big issue for me. Yes, I absolutely correct my kids’ grammar.

Early in the year, I have a chat with my students about formal English. I have the kids do a mock interview with me. One of them pretends to be the principal, I play the role of myself. The first time around, I use all sorts of slang, really ham it up. I ask the kids for feedback. They say that Ms. T is never going to hire me if I talk like that. Then we do a round of interviews where I speak formally.

Next we have a discussion about formal English v. at home English. I tell them that school is a formal place and they have to learn to speak formally there. I point out that the same is going to be true of their places of employment.

I also point out that I speak less formally at home, as I’m sure they do. I never tell them that their parents are speaking incorrectly. I try to make it known that there’s a time and place for everything. School is a time to be formal.

By Teacher2

July 13, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this

I teach English, so of course I correct my students’ speech in my class. Many of my colleagues do not, citing time constraints and the futility of trying to turn the tide. In my class we discuss the different types of speech (slang, colloquialism, formal, informal, etc.) and when it is appropriate to use each form. They know nothing gets on my nerves worse than speaking or writing Ebonics (very common in all races in my high school)and using IM code language in their writing. The English language is fluid, so I accept some changes and variations to standard English (except in grammar, of course), and I do allow informal communication in my class, but the students need to know how and when to use formal, standard, proper English. To date, I have not had anyone question the need for this knowledge.

By Nja

July 13, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this

Interesting that you posted this topic. I just had this discussion with some friends. As a parent- I do believe that proper speech should be enforced at school. I correct my sons grammar all of the time because he is young. However, once he has mastered speaking English properly I don’t mind if he “switches” in appropriate settings.

I do it myself. When I am at work I speak proper English. When I was in school I spoke proper English. However, when I am in an informal and non-business setting I do not speak proper English. When I am around my friends regardless of race I behave differently. My hand goes on my hip, my backbone slips, I use words like ain’t, a little bit of slang and I may be lax in my word pronounciation.

By OldSchool

July 13, 2006 01:31 PM | Link to this

I work very hard to set an example of using formal English in my drafting classes. When addressed by a student using “slanguage,” I simply pretend I don’t understand and insist that he/she repeat the question or response until I get the point across. From day one, I let them know that I run my lab like a professional office and I’m the boss. I use and expect professional language…especially the technical terms relative to the discipline.

BUT! A rare but well-placed (non-profane) bit of slang can really drive home a point. I think it’s the surprise factor.

By jim d

July 13, 2006 01:31 PM | Link to this

Gee Patti,

When I saw the header “QUEEN” I was so hopeful you were about to let us rant on the “poor little old me”, “self centered” Queen of education, Linda Schrenko’s smug comment yesterday that she’d be paying for the rest of her life.

By jim d

July 13, 2006 01:33 PM | Link to this

Teacher 2,

My blog posts must drive you absolutely insane;-)

By beth

July 13, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

That this child wanted to be around students who want to be a success in life brings tears to my eyes.

This is what it is all about folks! If more schools could provide that structured atmosphere, it would be wonderful.

Unfortunately, I believe part of the success of charter schools is the fact that they can control who gets in.

Can’t make chicken salad out of chicken S*.

By jim d

July 13, 2006 01:40 PM | Link to this

Teachers are quilty as well. You would be surprised at the number of phone calls we get from teachers asking if they can speak to my wife.

My normal Smart A reply is something like “I don’t know if you can or not—-But you may.” Which generally evokes a laugh or two.

By SNY

July 13, 2006 01:50 PM | Link to this

Finally, a topic that I agree with the masses on. It feels so good.

My 8 year old loves to correct me when I slip up. I have been correcting her since she could speak and at first she hated it. Now, it is second nature for everyone in my house to correct one another whenever the situation permits. I actually had a friend over with her children one night and my daughter correct my friend. She got really mad and felt disrespected by a child. I told her to “chillout” because it was common practice in our house to try and use proper English all the time. Of course after she left, I had to have a little talk with my daughter. I had to let her know that there was a time and place for everything and that you don’t have to correct everyone. So now, we keep it between family members.

We actually have a coin jar and everyone (except for my 3 year old) has to put a nickel in the jar for every mistake. I’m losing terribly. :)

By SET

July 13, 2006 01:58 PM | Link to this

The practice of speaking different dialects during the day as you move from social group to group is called “code switching” - or at least that’s what I remember from cultrural anthropology class.

We would do well to make it clear to the kids that when they are in school settings, and that includes field trips (if they are lucky enough to be taken on them), they will be expected to use the language of the school or face public correction and possibly punishment. We don’t care what language and dialects they use with their family.

The will learn this “new” language in “English Class” and they are expected to practice it throughout their time in school. They can also learn that English has formal and non-formal forms. When you address your superiors such as teachers, administrators, the lunch lady, etc. they must keep the formal language in mind. To graduate students must pass standardized tests in this new language. Otherwise they end their school career with only a certificate of attendance.

When the students are off duty they can speak (and dress) however their station in life prefers.

School isn’t Burger King.

By jim d

July 13, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this

SET

“School isn’t Burger King.”

And teachers aren’t always “superior”

By Kat

July 13, 2006 02:29 PM | Link to this

Proper grammar should absolutely be taught and enforced where possible. Unfortunately some of the teachers I’ve encountered over the years had such poor speech and grammar themselves that it was hard to imagine how they ever earned a college degree. Examples: a PE teacher who repeatedly uses the word “athaleke” instead of athlete; numerous teachers who use “axe” instead of ask; a kindergarten teacher who commented on my child’s report card that she needed to work on spelling her last name, when the teacher herself spelled it incorrectly on the front of the report card. I could go on, but suffice it to say I am a stickler for good grammar from my children. Poor grammar affects me like nails on a chalkboard. Certainly most people use different grammar and vocabulary depending on the situation, but the point is to have the skills and be able to use them when needed. It’s similar to table manners: Once I was correcting my children’s table manners and my husband said,”Lighten up, this isn’t dinner at the White House.” I said, “I know, but if they ever do get invited to dinner at the White House, they’ll know how to act!” The goal isn’t perfection at all times, but that they can go anywhere with anyone and know how to behave and how to express themselves.

By Sue

July 13, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this

This is a very good discussion. My mother brought us up using correct grammar. We use to correct the neighborhood kids all the time and they hated us for correcting them, especially my very best friend Val. Well, Val is now a high school teacher and she has thanked me and Mom over and over for correcting her. So, you see, it does pay to correct them while they are young and I’m very proud of my best friend and lucky to have a mom who cared about the way her children spoke whether informal or formal.

By jim d

July 13, 2006 02:57 PM | Link to this

And you think you have problems?

We have a school super who can’t annunciate the word kindergarten, graduation or obstacle properly.

Now there’s a shinning example for the kids.

By HB

July 13, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this

Kat, you are absolutely right about a few teachers setting a terrible example (only a few, I know most of you set a good example). My pet peeve was teachers who for multiple choice tests would direct us not to write out the full answer, but to “only write down the alphabet of the correct answer.” I had at least five teachers who said this regularly. How are kids supposed to learn proper word usage if that’s what they hear?!

By Teacher, Too

July 13, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

Absolutely, yes! I do correct my students’ grammar, both spoken and written. I also send e-mails to webmasters when I find basic mistakes in grammar and mechanics (punctuation, capitalization…)on websites. I’ve even had several students tell store managers when they see a mistake on a hand-written sign.

Have any of you read “Eats , Shoots & Leaves”?

By lisa

July 13, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this

I must say i watch the board meeting on Monday and it was just awful to witness Mrs Augustine playing games with this charter school.I often ask myself why do we continue to elect and allow people to stay in position who play games with our children future,yet this charter school met all the requirements which i can’t say for about 7 middle schools in APS but you don’t see them closing them down and they have the curriculum and the data and the instructional design by consulant but yet not one of these seven schools will be closing.I must say to the board memebers especially those in these low performing district it’s high time for you to fulfill your job description and assist parents like those who came out to speak on the behave of there children, i’am confuss!! schools system say they want parents participation but yet when we as parents don’t agree with a flawed system we slap in the face.

By girlsmom

July 13, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this

Wow! What a topic. My mother was very strict with us regarding the correct use of grammar. I believe this is something that begins at home. Because of what my mother taught me (& 12 years of catholic school), I’ve passed it on to my children. I’m very proud of the way they speak. The killer for me is how acceptable it is by today’s society to use “at” at the end of a sentence. It is so common place to hear it everywhere, from educators to media/tv personalities. I’ve even seen it in print. Oh well, my poor kids… they panic if they slip up and use it at the end of a sentence…but at least I know they’ve got the message!!

By I think with a drawl

July 13, 2006 03:21 PM | Link to this

I think it’s the really smart kids who can use standard englins/correct grammar when it is appropiate and slang when in informal company. Think of it as multi-tasking.

By Amazed (Independent Woman)

July 13, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this

It’s funny, we expect kids to speak proper english and they can’t read, write or perform math operations.

I don’t know a child, who is successful in school; who can’t put nouns, verbs, adjectives and pronouns in there correct forms when making a statement. If the child can read and write - correct english usually follows.

By Nel

July 13, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this

jim d: I had an English teacher who always said “you can but you may not”…I loved that man. I was schooled in London and this man insited that we used correct grammer in his class and told us that in the work world, we needed to be aware that the way we spoke to our friends was not acceptable in that environment. I found this to be true and it is the best advice he could have given us. Lord knows I was already black (1 strike), and sure didn’t need to present myself looking for a job sounding like Oliver Twist (strike 2).

I’ve heard that some teachers feel that correcting students damages their self esteem. I would think that correcting them early would set them on the right path for the future. IMHO.

By SET

July 13, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this

Jim D.

You’re right about some of the teachers, but they are all in charge for at least 45 minutes at a time and the kids have to live with that. So they are superior to the children in their care and the children don’t get to address them using informal language (unless it’s that kind of school).

By Vicki

July 13, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this

We had a kindergarten teacher who would axe people to do things, too. She also pronounced a little girl named Sydney as Sitney. The kids are in 5th grade now and some students still pronounce her name as Sitney.

I have also witnessed adults/teachers who “go acrossed the river” instead of “go across the river” when they speak. It drives me nuts…

I do correct my kids with improper language use and to use proper grammar.

By Janine

July 13, 2006 04:04 PM | Link to this

In my experience, more than a few teachers cannot or do not speak or write standard American English. One of my principals was embarrassed so often by grammatical and spelling errors in written communications sent from teachers to parents that he had to insist that all written notes communications to parents go through his secretary for corrections.[She was a grammatical perfectionist}.

By Janine

July 13, 2006 04:08 PM | Link to this

Back in the day…when I was in school both elementary and high , we never got away with even small errors in grammar or spelling. In fact, I remember my freshman year in college when my roommate got her first big paper back. The comment from the prof. : Your content is superior, you express yourself quite well…However, you have 8 grammatical errors and 3 misspelled words…….GRADE D.

By Gwinnett Teacher

July 13, 2006 04:21 PM | Link to this

Wow - I wish I had a nickel each time a student told me, “Oh, Mrs. __, you’re not an English teacher!”, when I correct them!

I am a math teacher, and I constantly correct grammar, spelling and pronunciation.

By Litmajor

July 13, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this

I plan on correcting my students which s only fair since part of my teaching will consist of grammar and composition. However, I would correct them regardless of what I taught. I do the same to my children and my husband if need be:) And if challenged, I can rationalize why standard english should be spoken.

By Amazed (Independent Woman)

July 13, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this

Gwinnett Teacher - whenever I tell my daughter she must spell the names of mathematical operations correctly, she tells me that the teacher says - spelling doesn’t count. However, I had to inform her that what I say goes.

Of course, this was elementary school.

What to do when your childs teachers tells the class, that spelling doesn’t count? Oh - how many times have I heard that in the last 4 years.

My child had it in her head, that spelling only counts during a spelling test. Whatever happened to “go look it up” in the dictionary, while at school?

By Litmajor

July 13, 2006 04:34 PM | Link to this

Excuse me-

which is only fair…

By Teacher2

July 13, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this

jim d, I love your posts. You always make me think.

By Gwinnett Teacher

July 13, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this

Amazed - I had a similar problem with one of my son’s 2nd grade teacher. What I did was let my son know that spelling mattered to me, regardless of what his teacher said!

Secondly, I had a meeting with this teacher and an administrator. I let my concerns be known. Long story short - my son was transferred to another class and this teacher’s contract was not renewed for the next year!

By Douglas Co. teacher

July 13, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this

I’m glad someone finally brought this up—it absolutely kills me when a student proclaims “I can go to the bathroom,” holding the pass with one foot out the door.

I just stare blankly at them and I never let them go unitl they finally realize I have no idea what they are talking about, and if they want me to understand, they will have to rephrase themselves: “May I please go to the bathroom?” Sometimes, if I’m feeling nice, I’ll let them go with a “Can I…”

The sad thing is, they don’t use this sort of weird question format only when asking to go to the bathroom. “I can…” with a questioning tone has replaced “May I…” for almost everything they ask me. It’s crazy. I never heard that sort of thing until I moved to Douglas County.

IMHO, it’s a power thing. They’d rather try to get away with telling you what they are going to do than acquiesce to you and ask. AND, on top of all this, I teach science, not English!

By Nel

July 13, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

I have always corrected my own children when they mispronounce words. I’ve never actually told them that their pronounciation was incorrect but repeated the word back to them correctly as we continued our conversation. If you lay the foundation at home there is no question because if you don’t correct them, how will they ever learn?

By Teacher, Too

July 13, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this

I can honestly say that all teachers/administrators DO NOT speak standard English. I had one administrator who mispoke on a regular basis- it was so embarrassing. His subject-verb agreement was incorrect, and he mangled words. When he would come on the intercom, my students would count the words that he managed to mispronounce, not to mention his poor sentence construction. The kids always looked at one another with the “HUH?” expression.

I think when the school recruiters interview potential new hires, they should consider their speaking skills as well as their credentials since they are representing a school district.

By Nel

July 13, 2006 05:09 PM | Link to this

One that parents do not seem to understand is that in the working world, the name you give your child marks them for life and whatever their educational background, the assumption in the corporate world is that they aren’t educated, so already it’s hard to get your foot in the door. Add that to the fact most of the guys do not have the first idea how to dress themselves for an interview, then you can’t string a decent sentence together without “you know what I’m saying” every couple of words, Houston, we have a problem. There seems to be no system Administrator who has the guts to set standards of behavior and dress for fear that the parents will complain. What, they won’t send the kids to school…don’t think so. Gutless!

By Nel

July 13, 2006 05:13 PM | Link to this

oops..second word should be “thing”

By SET

July 13, 2006 05:25 PM | Link to this

Nel: There are scholarly articles on the subject of Ethnic Names - or Negro Names or whatever.

You are wrong about the parents intentions. From my experience and the literature on this subject I am convinced the parents know exactly what they are doing when they name a child “Dashiki”, “Tre”, or any number of names that telegraph the child as black and born to a low class mother - probably illiterate, unmarried, promiscuous or whatever. They are tying a red flag on the baby’s head and they are doing it for a reason.

The reason and the results of these names can be researched. There’s also research on what happens when people with these names apply for things (like a job or an apartment) or try to write a check.

Remember the song a Boy Named Sue?

By Nja

July 13, 2006 05:34 PM | Link to this

Ha.

Nel- I always have this discussion with my friends. Sad but true people make assumptions based on names. However I believe if CONDOLEEZA can become Secretary of State, there is hope for anyone who does not have a “traditional” name.

By Nja

July 13, 2006 05:38 PM | Link to this

SET- I’m curious. How old are you and what is your occupation?

By LB

July 13, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this

I am totally surprised no one has mentioned ESOL classes where kids speak only Spanish to their friends. They will grant the teacher a favor to respond in English but that’s all. These are small classes and should be considered a priviledge yet so many take the classes for granted. I think ESOL classes should be earned by a demonstration of effort on the part of the student.

By MMM

July 13, 2006 07:00 PM | Link to this

You were watching a very poor excuse for an ESOL teacher if she is not requiring everything to be in English. Are you sure that those students weren’t slipping a translation to the child that was further behind?

I’ve never seen a class handled that way.

By jim d

July 14, 2006 08:32 AM | Link to this

SET,

We may be splitting hairs here but the word superior induces images of something better, of a higher rank or status. No offense meant towards teachers, but I certainly don’t place them in that category and most of them I know don’t consider themselves so.

Are they in control of the classroom? I would hope so. Are they deserving of courtesy? Indeed. But are they better, of a higher rank or superior to any one else? I think not.

IMHO, being in charge in no way makes one superior.

Personally, I feel I have only one superior and he’s not of this earth. (Oops make that two and include she who must be obeyed)

By lant

July 14, 2006 08:39 AM | Link to this

When I got a job w/ APS, we had to take ‘training’ courses during the summer and throughout the year. One of the sessions was on Ebonics. We were given an article to read on the importance of honoring it — how, if we correct students, we’re attacking their culture and ruining their self-esteem. To make things worse, I had to write a paper on it (agreeing w/ it) to get credit. I was so young, I rolled my eyes and wrote it to get my hours. Today, I wouldn’t. And their scores are so pathetically low because……….???????? It doesn’t matter much, anyhow - most of the teachers speak it themselves.

By Elane

July 14, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this

Ha! Too bad the AJC doesn’t have software sophisticated enough to reject posts that contain misspellings, sentence fragments, typos, etc. We could all learn from it. I do notice that some of the Vents appear to screen for such errors while others do not, and can only assume that it is a caring, sentient human who is editing them. Elsewhere, the “screeners” are taking the attitude referred to here: “What’s the use of correcting people — they’ll never get it!”

Not only in the AJC, but the NY Times and most of the local and network newscasts, I see appalling spelling errors every day. I hope the next burning global issue addressed is the deterioration of basic communication and language skills. It’s really scary.

By GAPeachTeacher

July 14, 2006 09:28 AM | Link to this

I was raised by parents who corrected my improper grammar at every opportunity. As an educator, and because it’s the right thing to do, I do the same in my classroom. I model appropriate grammar in my classroom and expect my students to do the same.

At the start of the school year, it seems that correcting my students is all that I do!! After about a month, they realize that I’m not going to “cut them any slack” and begin to correct their classmates. In addition, my daily ‘Morning Challenge’ consists of five sentences that are grammatically incorrect. When we review the assignment, they are required to justify the changes they have made. The ‘Morning Challenge’ journal stays in students’ desks for their reference. Since my school has no formal Language Arts curriculum (which is absurd), instruction is provided the way most students learn best.. by doing!!

I recently visited a KIPP school where students and teachers signal that the spoken word has been butchered by simply saying, “Switch.” The speaker is immediately aware, and corrects themselves. I have decided to add to this, another term, “assist”, which will indicate help is needed.

I’m looking forward to implementing this strategy for the upcoming school year. Since I’m looping with my students, the incidents of slang will be substantially less frequent that normal. However, as Old School said, a little slang is sometimes helpful. I may use the reverse teaching method and allow my them to correct me, which of course they will love!!

By SET

July 14, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this

Nja:

Remember, Condi is from the generation born well before the Civil Rights legislation of the Great Society that sent black families into a tailspin. She also was a born before Brown vs Board of Education and I believe. Oprah was also.

The point is still the same anyway. Remember the lyrics of the song “Boy named Sue”.

Think again about the motives of naming a child with a distinctly black name. Then go Google the name “Tyrone”

One wonders if Condi - who was never planned to grow up to become notable as the top USA War Planner (N’tl Security Advisor) - would have had that career if she was named “Mary”. Not to mention being tough enough to survive the beauracracy as chief administrator of Stanford University.

I really don’t think her parents planned any of this. Not like the jewish family who does birth announcenments for their son the Dr.

There have been research articles on the (high) “price” one pays in the USA marketplace currently for having a distinctly black name. The parent(s) who do this instinctly know this and name the kid anyway. Condi and Oprah were born when everytime a black first occurred - 1st court clerk, first garbageman, first police officer, you name it - they were in the newspaper. Much of the readership of this blog is too young to have seen those clippings.

A distinctive name in Condi’s generation carried a lower “price” compared to what the new generation is pays. In Condi’s generation blacks who made it into new occupations were the very best - they had to be. There was no affirmative action. And the prisons and jails were not filled with blacks, the illigitimacy rate was low and falling until the early sixties, etc.

By Kage

July 14, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

This topic reminds me of a funny story from my classroom. I try to model correct grammar usage. Sometimes I realize I’m modeling concepts that are a bit anachronistic.

One day, I was trying to figure out what happened in a playground skirmish. This exchange happened as I tried to get the details from a girl.

Child: “See, me’n’her was playing…” Me, not knowing who ‘her’ was: “With whom were you playing?” Child: “Huh?” Me: “With whom were you playing?” Child: “I was playing with Logan. I don’t know no Whom.”

By catlady

July 14, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this

I always correct my students’ mistakes. If I make one, they correct me as politely as I do them. I NEVER disparage their parents. I have had principals and fellow-teachers whose command of grammar was horrible! Ed programs used to tell you to correct mistakes by correctly reflecting it back to the child. Sometimes I have to be more forceful: My first year teaching, I had a little boy who told me every day that “I brung my lunch.” I would say, “Oh, Gary, you brought your lunch.” He would nod. He never heard me. Finally, on day #180, when he told me he’d brung his lunch, I put my hands on his shoulders, looked into his eyes, and said, firmly, “Say ‘I brought my lunch’, Gary.” He looked startled but repeated that he had brought his lunch. Heaven only knows what he said the next year!

By Really?

July 14, 2006 05:28 PM | Link to this

Jim D, I think you said:

My normal Smart A reply is something like “I don’t know if you can or not—-But you may.” Which generally evokes a laugh or two.

If you think about it, however, “can” is actually at issue. The teachers asking for more than permission; he or she was also asking: is the person at home, is the person actually able to take the call, etc.

Ideally, “May I speak to Mrs. D?” seems the more polite choice, and includes both the “can” and the “may” aspects of the question. But under the circumstances, “can” is a factor and is not in itself a grammatically flawed construction.

Improved answers that scores the same points that you are trying to score might be: “not only can you, but you may” “you apparently can talk to her, but you may not” (if you are that kind of controling guy), or even “it seems you can, are you taking a survey?”

By luvs2teach

July 14, 2006 07:07 PM | Link to this

Yes, spelling and grammar count in my class - and I’m a science teacher!

By Kat

July 17, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this

In addition to my comments above, I should mention that I was raised by a mother who insisted on correct grammar and it was a huge benefit to me later. As a result, I sailed through grammar lessons in grade school, and even later college English classes. It was simply no effort to get it right. I can remember a girl in my sixth grade class arguing about correct pronoun use with the teacher by saying, “That don’t sound right!” For me, correct usage did sound right, so exercises that involved picking the grammatically correct version of a sentence were effortless. (On a related topic, my mother also said that cursing is for people with limited imaginations and poor vocabularies. There are so many precise, descriptive and colorful words in the English language that only truly ignorant people resort to using a handful of pathetic cuss words.) Another benefit of knowing correct grammar is that I run a very lucrative freelance proofreading and copyediting business. I make money correcting other people’s mistakes, while doing something that comes naturally to me.

By Teacher

July 18, 2006 08:43 AM | Link to this

Poor grammar in the South is widespread across all socioeconomic groups, races, and educational levels. Just the facts.

Is grammar important? Look how the Southern schools fare in comparision to the rest of the country.

By jim d

July 18, 2006 09:49 AM | Link to this

Excuse me Teach,

But according to the Brit’s we really don’t speak the language anywhere in the US.

By Teacher

July 19, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this

Jim, since we’re talking about the U.S. and our educational issues, what they think in any other country is quite irrelevant. There is a standard for grammar and you know it. The problem is, everyone in the South embraces their way of speaking, knowing it is incorrect. They see it as part of their culture. Well, that’s fine, so be it, but Georgia’s schools will never rank or compete with schools in the rest of the country and that is the tragedy we’re faced with. Also, we didn’t have a way of speaking at work/school vs. at home. That is so ridiculous! About the only thing people might have to do is control any impulse to swear at work whereas they might do it at home.

Sidenote: every child I’ve had in class who comes for a different region of the United States says they’ve had the course work two years earlier. It’s really sad.

Also, each state gets to set their own AYP standards and they submit it to the U.S. DOE for approval. This year, cut scores were higher but they were still LOW.

By HB

July 19, 2006 11:46 AM | Link to this

I don’t think southerners grammar is any worse than in other regions. Grammar mistakes are just as common, but different in the other areas. Up north, “y’all” becomes “yous” or “yous guys”. “How you doin’?” is very big in the North too. I heard “where are you at?” far more often when I lived in New England than I ever did in Atlanta. My college roomate’s midwestern family also used that one a lot. They sometimes used “broughten” as the past tense for “bring”. And all those people embrace their way of speaking. Most people I know also know how to adjust their manner of speaking (or writing) for different situations. School is certainly a place where good grammar should be stressed, but teaching kids that some words and phrases used at home or on the playground are not appropriate in less casual settings is as great a challenge in Boston as it is in Atlanta.