Dive Brief:

• A new report from CollegeBoard and the National Commission on Writing shows that $3.1 billion is being spent annually on remedial writing training by businesses in the U.S. 
• According to Inc., a separate report from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills found employers responding that 26.2% of college students have "deficient" writing skills and that more than 25% of graduates are poor communicators all together.
• The writing assessment portion of the new SAT moves away from asking students to write personal essays and opinion pieces, instead giving them a challenging source text and asking them to deliver a written analysis.

Dive Insight:

It's clear that more emphasis is needed in K-12 to both make sure high school graduates can adequately write and to prepare them for the SAT. Schools can stress the importance of writing by engaging in deeper written exercises and written analysis that transcends subjects like math, science, or history. Moving away from the traditional five-paragraph structure — a thesis paragraph, three supporting paragraphs and a conclusion — will also help, especially now that the SAT no longer demands that simple format.

Districts should also consider assigning more nonfiction reading for students to analyze in writing, and ask them to create evidence-based arguments. By practicing the skills they need to showcase on the new SAT, students will ultimately be more successful and at ease when taking the high-stakes test — and, more importantly, in their careers. 

Recommended Reading

Inc Magazine: Study: Poor Writing Skills Are Costing Businesses Billions 
The Conversation : Why the new SAT is a reminder to improve the teaching of writing