Cursive writing, once a cornerstone of American education, has become a polarizing topic in modern classrooms. Do you know Why Did Schools Stop Teaching Cursive? Over the past two decades, its instruction has sharply declined, sparking debates about its relevance in the digital age.
This article explores why schools phased out cursive, the growing movement to revive it, and the science-backed arguments for and against its inclusion in curricula.
Why Schools Stopped Teaching Cursive
The decline of cursive instruction stems from three key factors:
1. The Digital Revolution
The rise of computers, tablets, and smartphones has shifted educational priorities. Schools began emphasizing keyboarding skills over handwriting to prepare students for a tech-driven world. Typing became essential for standardized tests, essays, and workplace communication, leaving cursive as a “nostalgic” skill.
2. Common Core Standards (2010)
Adopting the Common Core State Standards omitted cursive writing, focusing instead on digital literacy and critical thinking. With limited classroom time, educators prioritized subjects aligned with standardized testing, such as math and reading comprehension.
3. Curriculum Overload
Schools faced pressure to teach coding, STEM, and social-emotional learning. Cursive was often deemed expendable, as administrators questioned its practicality compared to modern skills.
The Resurgence: Why Cursive Is Making a Comeback
Despite its decline, 23+ U.S. states have reintroduced cursive mandates since 2016, driven by research and advocacy. Here’s why:
5 Reasons Why Cursive Should Be Taught in Schools
1. Cognitive Benefits
Studies show cursive activates unique neural pathways, enhancing memory retention, fine motor skills, and language processing.
Virginia Benninger’s research at the University of Washington found that cursive engages the brain differently than typing or print writing.
2. Historical Literacy
Original documents like the U.S. Constitution, letters from historical figures, and family heirlooms are written in cursive. Without cursive literacy, students lose access to primary sources.
3. Improved Academic Performance
Children who learn cursive often excel in spelling and composition. The fluid motion of cursive writing reinforces letter recognition and word structure, aiding dyslexic learners.
4. Personal Expression
Cursive allows individuality in handwriting, fostering creativity and confidence. Signatures, artistic projects, and handwritten notes remain culturally significant.
5. Screen Time Balance
In an era of excessive digital consumption, cursive offers a tactile, screen-free learning method. Schools like those in Ontario, Canada, reinstated cursive in 2023 to counterbalance tech reliance.
5 Arguments Against Teaching Cursive
- Time Constraints: Critics argue that cursive consumes hours better spent on coding, typing, or STEM subjects.
- Limited Real-World Use: Most modern communication is digital. Few professions require cursive beyond signatures.
- Mixed Research: While handwriting boosts cognition, studies are inconclusive on whether cursive is superior to print. Karin James’ research at Indiana University focused on print writing’s benefits for young children.
- Accessibility Challenges: Students with dysgraphia or fine motor difficulties may find cursive writing frustrating.
- Inconsistent Standards: Only 14 states (e.g., Texas, California, Louisiana) mandate cursive, creating uneven educational outcomes.
14 States Leading the Cursive Revival
As of 2024, 14 states require cursive writing, including:
- California: Mandated in 2023 via Assembly Bill 446 for grades 1–6.
- Texas: Requires cursive proficiency by third grade.
- New Hampshire: Passed a 2023 law tying cursive to multiplication table mastery.
- South Carolina and Tennessee: Early adopters (2010s) advocating for historical literacy.
Ontario’s 2023 cursive revival internationally offers a model for integrating short daily lessons without overwhelming curricula.
The 24 States Mandating Cursive Writing in Public School: A Comprehensive Guide
As cursive writing experiences a resurgence in U.S. education, 24 states now require its instruction in public schools. Below is an updated breakdown of each state’s curriculum standards, grade-level focus, and assessment practices for 2024:
- Alabama
- Instruction Timeline: Mastery is required by the end of 3rd grade.
- Assessment: Schools evaluate letter formation in 2nd grade and writing proficiency in 3rd grade.
2. Arizona
- Instruction Timeline: Taught during elementary school, with fluency expected by 5th grade.
- Policy Update: Revised 2023 standards reinforce cursive as mandatory despite earlier rumours of its removal.
3. Arkansas
- Instruction Timeline: Introduced by 3rd grade.
- Assessment: Evaluates penmanship neatness in 2nd grade and writing coherence in 3rd grade.
4. California
- Instruction Timeline: Taught from 1st through 6th grade.
- Recent Law: Assembly Bill 446 (2023) mandates cursive to prepare students for AI-era challenges like handwritten exams.
5. Delaware
- Instruction Timeline: Proficiency required by 4th grade.
- Focus: Emphasizes legibility and speed for real-world applications.
6. Florida
- Instruction Timeline: 3rd to 5th grade.
- Assessment: Tests introductory skills in 3rd grade, composition in 4th, and advanced techniques in 5th.
7. Georgia
- Instruction Timeline: 3rd and 4th grade.
- Focus: Letter formatting and sentence structure in cursive.
8. Illinois
- Instruction Timeline: Mastery by 5th grade.
- Controversy: Lawmakers overrode a 2018 gubernatorial veto to mandate cursive, sparking ongoing debates.
9. Indiana
- Instruction Timeline: Elementary school (no specific grade).
- Challenge: Despite a 2019 law, nearly 50% of schools neglected cursive as of 2023.
10. Iowa
- Instruction Timeline: Introduced in 2nd grade; fluency required by 3rd grade.
- Standards: Students must write cursive “accurately and automatically” by grade 3.
11. Kentucky
- Instruction Timeline: Begins in 1st grade; proficiency is mandated by 5th grade.
- Law: SB 167 (2023) ties cursive mastery to graduation readiness.
12. Louisiana
- Instruction Timeline: 3rd grade through high school.
- Unique Policy: The only state requiring cursive through 12th grade for historical document literacy.
13. Maryland
- Instruction Timeline: 2nd to 5th grade.
- Assessment: Tests readability of final cursive drafts in upper grades.
14. Massachusetts
- Instruction Timeline: Starts in 3rd grade; legibility expected by 5th grade.
- Legacy: Long-standing mandate despite national declines.
15. Mississippi
- Instruction Timeline: 2nd to 8th grade.
- Practical Focus: Tests real-world applications, like reading cursive texts.
16. New Hampshire
- Instruction Timeline: Mastery by 5th grade.
- 2023 Law: House Bill 170 aligns cursive with multiplication table proficiency.
17. North Carolina
- Instruction Timeline: 3rd to 5th grade.
- Tech Integration: Tests combine cursive writing with digital editing skills.
18. Ohio
- Instruction Timeline: 1st to 5th grade.
- Adoption: Formalized in 2019, though most schools already taught it.
19. Oklahoma
- Instruction Timeline: 4th and 5th grade.
- Gap: No standardized assessments despite curriculum requirements.
20. South Carolina
- Instruction Timeline: Mastery by 5th grade.
- Rigorous Testing: Multi-grade evaluations, including sentence formation in middle school.
21. Tennessee
- Instruction Timeline: Varies by district.
- Assessment: Tests readability and text creation in upper elementary grades.
22. Texas
- Instruction Timeline: 2nd to 3rd grade.
- Focus: Letter structuring and text composition.
23. Virginia
- Instruction Timeline: 2nd to 5th grade.
- Debate: Recent scrutiny over its relevance in tech-heavy curricula.
24. West Virginia
- Instruction Timeline: 2nd to 4th grade.
- Legislation: Pending bills aim to formalize current informal mandates.
The Science Behind Cursive Writing
- Brain Development: MRI scans reveal cursive activity in the inferior parietal lobe, linked to reading and comprehension.
- Dyslexia Support: The connected letters in cursive reduce letter reversal, aiding dyslexic students.
- Memory Retention: A 2020 study found that students who took notes in cursive recalled information 25% better than typists.
The Future of Cursive: Bridging Tradition and Technology
Organizations like Writey exemplify how cursive can thrive in the digital age. By blending apps with traditional penmanship, students gain cognitive benefits while mastering tech skills.
California’s legislation even ties cursive to AI preparedness, arguing that handwritten skills counterbalance machine-dependent learning.
Final Takeaway
Cursive’s decline was driven by pragmatism, but its resurgence reflects a deeper understanding of its cognitive, cultural, and creative value.
While not every student needs to master calligraphy, evidence suggests cursive deserves a balanced place in modern education—equipping kids to decode history, express themselves, and think critically in an increasingly digital world.