Efforts to Reintroduce Cursive in Pennsylvania Schools

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is taking steps to reintroduce cursive writing in schools throughout the state.

Shapiro recently signed a bill that mandates a cursive handwriting curriculum in public schools. This initiative, led by Republican Rep. Dane Watro, received support from several Democrats and a majority of Republicans as co-sponsors.

On social media, Shapiro shared his thoughts, mentioning that while his cursive may be a bit rusty, he feels it was quite decent at one point. This led to a light-hearted engagement with the public.

However, not everyone agrees with the emphasis on cursive. Former Secretary of Education Khalid Moomin expressed that he doesn’t think instructional time should prioritize cursive writing in public schools. A spokesperson for the Department of Education mentioned that schools should focus on effective communication methods suited to each student’s needs.

Some argue that cursive writing holds inherent value as well as practical benefits. It’s often seen as a beautiful form of expression, and teaching children to create aesthetically pleasing work is beneficial. In middle and high school, numerous opportunities arise for students to practice handwriting, particularly in settings without digital tools.

Moreover, cursive is time-efficient, as many adults, including myself, often prefer jotting down thoughts and notes in cursive. This method can be much quicker for spontaneous writing.

Additionally, many important historical documents, such as the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, were originally penned in cursive. While they are now available in printed form, students should be equipped to read primary sources, which may include deciphering cursive text.

Shapiro’s initiative is commendable, and perhaps other states might consider adopting similar measures. I can’t help but wish for a stronger focus on fundamental skills like phonics as well.