Small Programs Interest Group
Assessing the Need for Change: A Survey of Grammar Curricula in American J-Schools • Marc Seamon, West Virginia • Spelling, punctuation, grammar, and AP style errors are among the factors that are hurting media credibility in the public’s eyes. Some have said J-schools share the blame for sloppy grammar because they don’t properly prepare students. This survey of 100 J-schools and examination of their syllabi found plenty of awareness that spelling, punctuation, grammar, and AP style are important. However, the standards of instruction and assessment varied widely, suggesting the need for a new, consistently high standard for teaching grammar in all J-schools. Improvements and future research are recommended.