Starting next year, students in Oregon public schools will be permitted to use computer spellcheckers during state writing tests.

State officials say they want to focus more on assessing middle and high school students' writing skills instead of typos.

"We are not letting a student's keyboarding skills get in the way of being able to judge their writing ability," Oregon Superintendent Susan Castillo told the Oregonian this week. "As we're using technology to improve what we're doing with assessments as a nation, we believe that spell check will be one of those tools."

Some legislators questioned whether this move was in the best interests of Oregon students.

"The concern I was hearing from colleagues in my school districts is that seeing a kid struggle with spelling on the test forces them to continue to work on spelling with that student," said state representative Sherrie Sprenger. "Instead, we're going to be saying there's a tool to adapt for that. But there's value in continuing to persevere in learning that skill."

A recent study released by the English Spelling Society suggests that internet chat rooms and social networking sites have helped to normalize misspelling and encourages a "general attitude" that correcting mistakes or following conventional spelling rules is no longer necessary, the Guardian reports.

Should students be permitted to use spellcheckers during writing tests? Do you think proper spelling matters as much these days? What misspelled words drive you crazy? Let us know in the comments below.