Slang Writing Creeps into the Classroom

Teachers are complaining that social networking abbreviations and slang are creeping into student writing in school and on assignments. Some analysts see this as an evolution of the language, but others worry it is a dumbing down of communication. Either way, this is some kind of transition period and kids are going to have to learn to adapt to what is expected of them. College essays for example, are one place that texting lingo is seen as a real no-no. How to help kids to figure out what is appropriate where seems to remain an issue, however.