Is there a writing crisis in the U.S. school system?

There might be a writing crisis in America’s schools.

Whether you blame technology, new core standards or something else, it’s true that young students aren’t learning writing the same way they used to.

Also, here’s a refreshing take on how to prepare a story, the challenge of writing fortunes and a weird screenplay involving grammar:

Americans can’t write: Well, the kids can’t, at least. Common core standards require students to translate what they’ve learned into writing regardless of subject. Natalie Wexler, chair of The Writing Revolution, writes that that’s not enough.

You have to learn to add before you can do calculus. Similarly, before students can write a coherent five-paragraph essay, they need to learn to write a decent sentence — no matter what grade they’re in.