They say history has a way of repeating itself as school students across the commonwealth used to writing on digital devices will now be introduced to an “old school way” of communicating; cursive handwriting.
Gov. Josh Shapiro last week signed into law a measure that mandates that cursive writing be taught in Pennsylvania schools.
The bill was introduced by state Rep. Dane Watro, a Luzerne County Republican who said there are compelling cognitive, developmental and practical reasons for requiring students to have at least a basic grasp of cursive handwriting.
Watro’s co-sponsorship memo to colleagues said research shows learning cursive writing activates areas of the brain involved in executive function, motor skills and working memory.
“The linked, flowing motions of cursive writing help reinforce neural connections and build hand-eye coordination in developing brains,” Watro stated. “Students who learn cursive may show improved language fluency, enhanced creativity, and better recall.”
Watro also said a growing cursive illiteracy poses a threat to accessing and comprehending key historical sources, such as the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
“Mandating cursive writing education will allow students to actively read seminal documents that shaped our democracy which is vital for an informed, engaged citizenry in the generations to come,” he said.
The new law, which goes into effect in April, does not specify at which grade level that cursive writing education should be introduced.
At least 24 states have laws on the books requiring cursive instruction, including New Jersey.
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