Why now? Carter says it’s about more than signatures and fancy writing. “Many children today are not being taught how to read or write in cursive,” she said. “It’s a foundational skill that not only enables them to sign their own name, but also gives them access to important historical documents.”
This isn’t Carter’s first time around the cursive block. She’s introduced similar bills before, and one of them actually passed the House last year. But that version didn’t include the model program requirement, so now she’s back with a slightly upgraded pitch.
Another state, another cursive comeback.
This time it’s Michigan, where Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac) is once again pushing for schools to bring back cursive writing, both reading it and writing it.
She’s introduced House Bill 4675, which basically asks the state’s Department of Education to come up with a list of model cursive programs by June 2027. The idea is that schools would strongly be encouraged to add one of these programs to their curriculum starting in the 2027–28 school year.
And if that list of model programs gets done early? Schools can jump in sooner.
“I’ve been proud to introduce this bill in each of my prior three terms,” she said. “And in its most recent form, it passed out of the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.” She’s not backing down anytime soon.
The Michigan Department of Education is also on board. In March, during National Reading Month, no less, they released a resolution supporting cursive in schools. They cited research showing that learning cursive can boost cognitive development, improve fine motor skills, and help with reading and writing. Basically, it’s more than just “nice handwriting.”
“Cursive enhances writing fluency,” the resolution said. “It supports spelling, frees up brainpower, and helps students focus more on what they’re saying than how they’re writing it.”
“I’ve been proud to introduce this bill in each of my prior three terms,” she said. “And in its most recent form, it passed out of the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.” She’s not backing down anytime soon.
The Michigan Department of Education is also on board. In March, during National Reading Month, no less, they released a resolution supporting cursive in schools. They cited research showing that learning cursive can boost cognitive development, improve fine motor skills, and help with reading and writing. Basically, it’s more than just “nice handwriting.”
“Cursive enhances writing fluency,” the resolution said. “It supports spelling, frees up brainpower, and helps students focus more on what they’re saying than how they’re writing it.”
And if that wasn’t enough, some experts say it could even help students with dyslexia, since cursive flows in one continuous motion rather than stopping and starting with every single letter.
At least 24 states already require cursive in some form, and that list is growing. Pennsylvania just passed a cursive bill. Maine did too.
So now the question is: Will Michigan be next?
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