Students use texting language in papers at university. Help!

[NikkiBarber]

Okay, when I read my last post it sounds really rude, but I will leave it as it is. I still mean what I said, but I will admit that I am frustrated and that I might be exaggerating. There are great teachers in American schools, I know that from my year as an exchange student. There are bad and indifferent teachers in Denmark, I know that too. The problem probably isn't the teachers but the system. Teachers here have too many students and not enough resources.
I also believe that anyone who takes the time to visit forums like this on their own time do it because they care about doing a good job, so what I said before probably doesn't apply to anyone reading this.
Even though I don't understand why anyone would hand in an essay that reads like a text message I do understand that students who see that a lot of their teachers are only making a minimal effort will try to get by that way too.
I just want to pull out my own hair when I read a paper with great contents that I can't give anything over a C for because of the spelling. Especially since I have no idea how to help the students improve their writing and I know that if they leave my class without showing improvement that it will be my fault more than theirs.

[lauralie2]

...I read a paper with great contents that I can't give anything over a C for because of the spelling.

Say that to your students. Take my seasoned advice: They, not you, are responsible for their grades. Correct their work accordingly. Give the papers a C and explain why.

[Tdol]

They, not you, are responsible for their grades.

It's sad that this is being undermined in many places.

[lauralie2]

It's sad that this is being undermined in many places.

I had no idea it was even an issue.

[NikkiBarber]

The way the university looks at it is that it is less likely to have a class of fifty stupid students than it is to have one bad teacher. Of course that is too simple a way of looking at it, but if none of my students show improvement then I do feel responsible.