USATODAY.com - 'Yo, can u plz help me write English?'

Carl Sharp knew there was a problem when he spotted his 15-year-old son's summer job application: "i want 2 b a counselor because i love 2 work with kids."

do u think IRL this is a problem? I don't have a problem with shorthand or IM-speak but it must be used with the right medium and students must use standard English writing and spelling rules in educational and work contexts. Since most students don't have these skills, I think they're resorting to the next best thing they know, IM.