Bill to teach cursive in NJ schools reaches governor’s desk
Many schools across America dropped cursive instruction in 2010, when the Common Core Standards placed a greater emphasis on keyboarding.
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A bill requiring elementary students to learn cursive handwriting has made it to the governor’s desk with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Many schools across America dropped cursive instruction in 2010, when the Common Core Standards placed a greater emphasis on keyboarding. Some districts, like Hamilton Township, have kept it in their curriculum.
“There are times when you preserve things that are no longer in standards that you feel are still important,” said Hamilton School District curriculum director Anthony Scotto. “I think cursive is an example of that."
It’s an idea that has united both arms of the New Jersey legislature. A bill to require cursive instruction for grades 3-5 passed by a combined 112-1 vote in the state Senate and Assembly. If passed, the bill would take effect next school year.
The bill’s sponsors say there are developmental benefits to practicing cursive writing. There are also practical reasons.
“If they’re signing a check,” Scotto said. “If they’re reading a card or a letter. If they’re reading a document. But also, it’s an identifier of who they are as an individual.”
