This was going to be a comment on Liz' entry, but it is long enough to merit its own entry.

Teaching in Ebonics. That's encouraging people to sound ignorant. It boggles the mind.

I heard more on the story on some talk radio show. They were comparing Ebonics to Spanish. SPANISH! If I were Hispanic and Spanish was my first language, I would be so offended. Why? Because Spanish is a REAL language.

I think it's ridiculous that poor speaking skills are being defended and encouraged.

Do I think that everyone should sound alike and say everything the same way? Of course not. I think diversity should be appreciated as much as the next guy. It should not, however, hinder a child's education. Which I think it would. The only reason this plan is going into action is because (and this might sound harsh, but) the majority of kids in public schools are so LAZY and reluctant to work that teachers and the school board must be tearing out their hair trying to come up with any way to connnect with them. Some ideas, however, are just asinine. And this is one of those ideas.

Where is the logic? Abandoning the primacy of using the English language properly will give children the impression that no one out there in the real world will care if they are articulate. They'll be under the impression that they can use poor grammar anywhere and no one will think anything of it. And let's face it, people do.

What next, elite speak in English lessons?

Kid: "W-T-F, I dun wanna readz, LMAO."

Teacher: "S-T-F-U and turn to page sixteen or I'll give you detention. Yeah, PWN'D!"

Another kid: "I G-2-G to the bathroom."

Teacher: "B-R-B? Okay, take the pass."