Good lord, that is even worse than I'm describing.
A great many people cannot fathom the fundamental truth that the majority of learning is useful simply because it allows us to enjoy to process of living in society for 70-90 years and for no other reason. There isn't any greater purpose to being "good at writing" other than "it makes communication and competition more accessible and convenient", but even that is a subjective value judgement. There are many sub-cultures who exist even inside our own that are perfectly happy being sub-literate.
A lot of people are saying "if kids don't learn dry, boring technical writing, then how will they write work emails and documentation?" The implication there is that if you can't write proper emails and documentation, you'll fail at your career. If the emails and documentation I receive are at all representative of greater industry (and I've worked in both aerospace and clinical research) then I can assure everyone that few people can write at a useful level and not only are they still employed but their companies are still around.
Given that no one can write anyway, why do we cling to forcing children through painful, humiliating exercises in standardization?
These essays are usually assigned in college-prep courses with the intention that the students will go to college where they will need to read/write in APA, MLA or other rigid, clear styles that would allow them to read/publish in specific academic journals. It's a high standard for the high-achieving students.
A great many people cannot fathom the fundamental truth that the majority of learning is useful simply because it allows us to enjoy to process of living in society for 70-90 years and for no other reason. There isn't any greater purpose to being "good at writing" other than "it makes communication and competition more accessible and convenient", but even that is a subjective value judgement. There are many sub-cultures who exist even inside our own that are perfectly happy being sub-literate.
A lot of people are saying "if kids don't learn dry, boring technical writing, then how will they write work emails and documentation?" The implication there is that if you can't write proper emails and documentation, you'll fail at your career. If the emails and documentation I receive are at all representative of greater industry (and I've worked in both aerospace and clinical research) then I can assure everyone that few people can write at a useful level and not only are they still employed but their companies are still around.
Given that no one can write anyway, why do we cling to forcing children through painful, humiliating exercises in standardization?