Why Has Cursive Writing Been Removed from the School Curriculum?

Over the past few decades, cursive writing has seen a decline in American schools, largely due to the rise of digital technology. As computers and other digital devices became more prevalent, the emphasis shifted towards teaching keyboarding skills.

The Common Core State Standards, implemented in 2010, did not include cursive writing, leading many schools to deprioritize it in favor of typing and other 21st-century skills. Additionally, with limited classroom time and resources, educators often had to make difficult decisions about which subjects to emphasize, and cursive writing was one of the casualties.

However, this decline in cursive instruction has sparked a growing movement advocating for its return. Cursive writing is making a comeback, with several states now mandating its inclusion in the curriculum.

Proponents argue that cursive writing offers numerous cognitive benefits, such as improved motor skills, increased retention, and enhanced comprehension. Learning cursive can also help students develop a unique personal style and strengthen their understanding of historical documents, many of which are written in cursive.

As more states embrace this movement, cursive writing is poised to reclaim its place in classrooms, ensuring that future generations can enjoy its benefits.

Read More: In Defense of Handwriting: Why Handwriting Is Making a Comeback in Education and Workplace

Why Has Cursive Writing Been Removed from School Curriculum?

The decision to remove cursive from the curriculum was influenced by several factors:

Technological Advancements: As students increasingly rely on digital devices for writing, the perceived need for cursive writing has diminished. Typing skills are seen as more essential for navigating the digital world.
Curriculum Constraints: With limited time and resources, educators often face tough choices about which subjects to include. Cursive writing was often seen as less critical compared to other academic and technological skills.
Changing Standards: The adoption of the Common Core State Standards, which do not mandate cursive instruction, led many schools to deprioritize cursive in favor of meeting these new benchmarks.

Despite these reasons, there has been a notable pushback against the removal of cursive writing from schools. In fact, cursive is experiencing a resurgence, with many states enacting laws to reintroduce it into the curriculum.

While the removal of cursive writing from school curricula was driven by the rise of digital technology and changes in educational priorities, its resurgence is a testament to its enduring value

While the removal of cursive writing from school curricula was driven by the rise of digital technology and changes in educational priorities, its resurgence is a testament to its enduring value. Cursive writing offers numerous cognitive, historical, and personal benefits that are increasingly being recognized and appreciated. As more states reinstate cursive instruction, it is clear that this traditional skill continues to hold a significant place in modern education.

This renewed interest is driven by several key arguments in defense of cursive writing:

Cognitive and Motor Benefits Research has shown that learning cursive writing can improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The process of writing in cursive also engages different parts of the brain compared to typing, potentially enhancing cognitive development and memory retention.

Historical and Cultural Literacy Understanding cursive is crucial for reading historical documents, many of which are written in cursive. This knowledge helps students connect with their cultural heritage and understand important historical texts in their original form.

Personal Expression and Creativity Cursive writing allows for a more personal and expressive form of communication. Each individual’s cursive handwriting is unique, offering a way for students to develop their own style and identity.

Educational Benefits Studies suggest that students who learn cursive may perform better in reading and writing. Cursive writing can help reinforce learning in other areas, such as spelling and composition.

Screen Time Concerns In an era where students spend increasing amounts of time in front of screens, cursive writing offers a valuable break from digital media, encouraging a different mode of learning and creativity.

State Actions on Cursive Writing Reintroduction

As a result of these compelling arguments, several states have taken action to reintroduce cursive writing into the classroom.

Legislation in Various States

For instance, states like Texas, South Carolina, and Louisiana have passed legislation requiring the teaching of cursive. In May, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed a bill requiring schools to teach cursive and multiplication tables. Over the past decade, more than 23 states have implemented directives to teach cursive.

California's Cursive Mandate

Last year, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 446 into law, mandating cursive instruction for first through sixth graders. The bill, introduced by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, aims to ensure that students can read and write in cursive, and prepares them for handwritten exams, especially as AI becomes more prevalent in classrooms.

These states recognize the numerous benefits of cursive and are working to ensure that students have the opportunity to learn this important skill.

Supporters have tried to reintroduce cursive into schools. For instance, California-based neuroscientist Claudia Aguirre states that writing letters in cursive activates specific neural pathways that enhance learning and language development.

Research on Handwriting and Brain Development

Karin James, a professor of psychological and brain sciences at Indiana University, found that writing by hand, whether in print or cursive, activates brain networks that typing does not. Additionally, research by Virginia Berninger from the University of Washington revealed that cursive, print, and typing each engage different brain functions.

International Perspective on Cursive Instruction

A small study by Italian researchers found that teaching cursive to first-year primary school students can improve their reading skills. Canada also tried to remove cursive but brought it back in 2023. The Ontario Ministry of Education reinstated cursive handwriting instruction last year. Educators are now looking to Ontario for insights on the best ways to teach cursive, including lesson duration and practice frequency.

Benefits of Cursive Writing

Cursive supporters cite numerous benefits, including aiding students with reading and writing disabilities like dyslexia and dysgraphia. They also emphasize the importance of being able to read historical documents in their original form. Studies and brain scans have shown that writing by hand helps with memorization and engagement, as well as lighting up neural circuits that are not activated by typing.

Criticism and Counterarguments

Critics of cursive argued that time spent on learning it could be better used for developing skills like coding and keyboarding. Some young lawmakers even labeled cursive as “old-fashioned.” However, proponents of cursive have continued to advocate for its benefits, pointing to research that highlights its positive impact on cognitive development. Studies have shown that handwriting, including cursive, is essential for brain development, memory retention, and reading proficiency.

Challenges to Mandating Cursive Instruction

There are several reasons why cursive is not mandated by all schools. While manual handwriting has clear benefits, research is mixed on whether cursive is better than print for child development. Karin James, a professor at Indiana University, studies four-to-six-year-olds and focuses on print. Her research shows that writing letters by hand activates brain networks not activated by typing, including an area involved in reading. Virginia Berninger, a professor at the University of Washington, found that cursive, print writing, and typing use related but different brain functions. Despite these findings, teaching cursive to very young students is becoming less common.

Given the resurgence of interest in handwriting and cursive, we at Writey have combined technology and tradition, providing a platform to learn cursive, calligraphy, and improve handwriting. This is an amazing blend of digital convenience and traditional skills. This way, everyone can have the cognitive benefits of cursive writing while adapting to the demands of the digital age.