New Zealand To Allow 'Text-Speak' On Exams

ScentCone writes "New Zealand's Qualification Authority (which sets testing standards for the public schools) is confident that those grading papers will understand the meaning of students' responses, even if they use phone/IM-style text-speak. From the article: 'credit will be given if the answer "clearly shows the required understanding," even if it contains text-speak.' Many teachers are not amused, and critics say that the move will devalue NZ's equivalent of a high school diploma." Not to mention that graders will need to be restrained so they don't gouge their own eyes out. While in the medium of text messages, some shorthand might be in order, but I didn't realize that world paper, pencil, and ink shortages were so severe so that text-speak is necessary everywhere.

Comments

monkey phonics STILL not recognized

[marklar1]

I guess the monkey phonics thing never reallly caught on there...oh when will the descrimination end?

Re:Are they kidding?

[hdparm]

Believe it or not, this doesn't seem to be the most serious problem NZ is facing in the future. This fucking labour government has done so much damage everywhere but that's a long story. To stay on topic, check this - it's unbelievable.

Comforting fact is that good schools would never put up with this shit. Every year more parents and kids realise the benefit of CIE programme.