[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 26, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13156-S13157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        BRING ON THE WRITE STUFF

  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, according to recent results from the 1998 
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), only about a 
quarter of fourth, eighth, and twelfth graders write well enough to 
meet the ``proficient'' achievement grading level, and a measly one 
percent of students attained the ``advanced'' grading level. 
Approximately six out of ten pupils reached just the ``basic'' level--
defined as ``partial mastery'' of writing skills by the National 
Assessment of Educational Progress exam.
  What startling results, Mr. President! How do we expect our nation to 
forge ahead in a global economy with a ``partial mastery'' of writing 
skills? From the typical thank-you note to a cover letter for a job 
opening to a simple exchange with friends over the Internet, writing is 
a skill essential to everyday existence, no matter what path in life 
one may choose to pursue. The power of words and the blending of 
thoughts in a succinct, clear, and grammatically correct manner is 
often a daunting endeavor, and one that is too easily dismissed with a 
poor letter grade or a critical evaluation by a mentor or coworker.
  The path to becoming a solid writer is a long and arduous road. I 
continue to improve my writing skills each day through reading and 
through practice. As the old saying goes, ``practice makes perfect.'' 
Well, Mr. President, this dictum does not just apply to perfecting your 
baseball swing or your tennis serve. It is an edict we all ought to 
follow with a little greater will and fortitude in all of life's 
quests.
  What makes someone a better writer? Lots of things, I say, but 
perhaps a strong foundation is the most critical, and often the most 
neglected, step along the way. Today's children are ripe with great 
ideas and creativity, but without proper instruction and strong reading 
skills, bright promise fades into fractured thoughts and misspelled 
words on paper. Based upon the results of the 1998 NAEP test, students 
who did well tended to be those who planned out their compositions and 
had teachers who required practice drafts. Moreover, youngsters from 
homes filled with books, newspapers, magazines, and encyclopedias had 
higher average scores.
  So often, we hear students gripe about burdensome summer reading 
lists, and even more shockingly, we witness parents encouraging their 
children to buy the ``Cliff Notes'' of the book to provide them with 
the basic character and plot summaries while avoiding the hefty task of 
reading the novel from cover to cover. What nonsense! Perhaps, the 
greatest benefit of a child's summer agenda is reading. Skimming and 
reading shortened versions or the so-called ``Cliff Notes'' rob 
children of wonderful learning experiences.

  Reading is an essential ingredient to enhancing one's writing skills. 
From enjoying the morning newspaper over a cup of coffee to reading an 
educational magazine or a novel, one can benefit greatly from this 
endeavor. Given the expansive English vocabulary, there is much to 
learn from different styles of writing. How often does a person come 
across an unfamiliar word or phrase in reading? Quite often, I suspect. 
But how often does the person actually interrupt their reading to 
consult the dictionary for the word's definition or origin? Not very 
often, I venture to guess. An appreciation of the soaring majesty of 
the English language is the

[[Page S13157]]

key to unlocking one's own writing skills and letting one's own words 
take wing.
  I am pleased to be a cosponsor this year of S. 514, legislation to 
reauthorize the National Writing Project. The National Writing Project 
(NWP) is the only federally funded program that specifically works to 
improve a student's writing abilities and provide professional 
development programs in the area of writing instruction for classroom 
teachers. This program operates on a ``teachers teaching teachers'' 
model, meaning that successful writing teachers conduct workshops for 
other teachers in the schools during the school year to improve overall 
writing skills. It is critically important that our nation have skilled 
teachers in the area of writing, and this program goes straight to the 
heart of that. West Virginia is home to three federally funded National 
Writing Projects, including programs at West Virginia University and 
Marshall University.
  The act of writing is itself an art, one which not only requires 
creativity, but one that can also glisten with beauty. Calligraphy, for 
example, is a beautiful form of writing, very popular in formal 
invitations and for special events. And while most of us are not gifted 
calligraphers by nature, we all ought to take a little more pride in 
the presentation of our writing. A beautifully worded poem or essay can 
be easily tarnished by poor penmanship. Conversely, good penmanship can 
enhance the overall beauty of one's writing by simple finishing 
touches, beginning with the dotting of our i's and the crossing of our 
t's. It is very easy to become sloppy in one's writing, but we must not 
forget that appearance does matter, and a good essay that is illegible 
will have little impact.
  Sadly, today's young generation seems to be more happily occupied 
with a telephone in one hand and a television remote control in the 
other than with a book or a newspaper. I fear that the entertainment 
luxuries of the twentieth century have misplaced the old-fashioned art 
of reading and writing. Computer electronic mail too often has become a 
replacement for a hand-written thank-you letter to a deserving 
colleague or peer. Reading from Plutarch's ``Lives,'' Homer's ``The 
Iliad'' and ``The Odyssey,'' or a Shakespearean play has taken a 
backseat to video games and Hollywood movies.
  I challenge all of us to set higher standards in our reading and 
writing skills, and to help our young people do the same. Put down the 
remote control and pick up a good book. Write a poem for a friend on 
her birthday. Poetry is a wonderful gift--such heartfelt thoughts on 
paper tend to last much longer than a piece of clothing exhibiting the 
latest fashion trend. Embrace the English language and take pride in 
each word that you place on paper--after all, your writing is a 
reflection of you.
  I yield the floor.

                          ____________________