Nick Smith, October 3, 2004

Education is key to our children’s success and our nation’s economic success as well. As Chairman of the Science Subcommittee on Research, I have always fought to improve math and science education. With technological advances revolutionizing the workplace and the classroom, subjects like math and science have become more important than ever before. But it is imperative that our children also learn to write well. Perhaps, no skill is as valuable to the average employee and yet so underappreciated.

According to a recent survey by the College Board’s National Commission on Writing, U.S. employers say that nearly one-third of their employees do not meet the writing requirements that their positions demand. Employers want more workers who can write well. I think that this increased demand has also increased the responsibility of teachers and professors in our grade schools, high schools, and universities. They need to not only cultivate basic writing skills, but also encourage students to continue improving their writing skills after finishing their formal education. This will allow them to compete in our globalized and competitive job market.

My office recently spoke with Sherry Harris, a high school English teacher from the Seventh District, about her students’ attitude toward writing. She told me, "It seems as though some of my students have a general perception that they will not be writing outside of school. Theirs is an attitude that they learn skills in school that do not matter once they move on to the ‘real world.’" This is simply not the case.

When I am looking to hire someone to work with me in Congress, one of the first things that I do with potential candidates is have them sit down and take a writing test. If an applicant does not write well, I do not consider them for employment regardless of past accomplishments, educational pedigree, or sparkling references. A typical employee must be able to communicate in a clear, understandable manner. I am always disappointed to see how many well-credentialed young people lack these basic skills.

Sherry also reminded me that the essence of being a good writer is being able to communicate with precision. She said, "Good writers in the workplace are able to convey the necessary thoughts or information with a sense of exactness." According to the Commission, employers want workers who can consistently write with accuracy, clarity, spelling, punctuation, grammar, and conciseness.

Sherry and her fellow teachers have made it their mission to not only change their students' misguided views about writing, but also inspire them to keep honing their writing skills long after leaving the classroom. She tells her students that writing is not something ever completely mastered and can always be improved. Parents and grandparents should also reinforce the importance of excellent writing to their children and grandchildren. We should all thank our teachers who are working tirelessly to prepare our children with the writing skills necessary to thrive in the workplace and in life.

Congressman Nick Smith, a Republican, represents Michigan's 7th Congressional District, which includes Battle Creek and the counties of Branch, Eaton, Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Calhoun, and Washtenaw in south-central Michigan.