I spoke with a teacher recently who told me that it's becoming more and more difficult to grade essays and other written work that his students turn in, as they tend to read like a long text message or IM. As it turns out, poor writing skills are making things more difficult for students as well when their job applications are graded by potential employers. Although there have been mass layoffs recently, there are companies that are still hiring. So who will get these jobs? Applicants with technology skills? Check. Applicants who work well with a team? Check. Applicants who can write well? Checkmate. According to the National Commission on Writing, writing skills are setting job applicants over the top. ""People who cannot write and communicate clearly will not be hired, and if already working, are unlikely to last long enough to be considered for promotion."" The institute also states that companies are currently spending billions of dollars to improve the writing skills of their employees and that the jobs of the future will emphasize the ability to write. For these reasons, states are starting to incorporate more writing standards across the board. How is writing used in your classroom? Do you feel that writing skills have changed over the years?