Writing and language

I found it interesting that the common core standards start to put a lot of emphasis on college preparedness for writing at the ninth and tenth-grade level. I understand how important it is to try and prepare our students for college and the academic workload that comes with it. Yet, I still feel that perhaps telling parents that their ninth-grader is being prepped for college as soon as they sit down in a classroom to be some unnecessary pressure for those students. Especially since trying to get into college can be stressful enough on its own. I can understand why it’s there and why it’s important, I just worry that overemphasizing how much our high school students are being groomed for college. I think it can cause parents to worry even more if their student starts to struggle with writing.  Writing and proper language use is important however, putting pressure on students to be at college level even before they step on campus seems unwise. Students won’t be able to grow properly as writers if they are constantly told how vital it is that they reach a certain goal. Writing takes time and patience and isn’t done well in a stressful environment with a time crunch. I worry that some students and parents might already see their high school experience as college boot camp. I want my students to be great writers, I want them to exceed even their own expectations. However, only time and practice can make you a better writer. I know for a fact that I’m a better writer now then I was when I started college. I just worry that students will get too discouraged if they struggle in high school with their writing. It might keep them from wanting to keep at it so they can move forward.