Newsom mandates cursive instruction in California schools.
California to Require Cursive Writing in Elementary Schools
In an exciting development, California’s elementary school students will once again be required to learn cursive writing. This comes after Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law on October 16.
Starting in January 2024, students in first through sixth grade will be taught this beautiful handwriting style.
Since 2010, cursive had not been a requirement in public schools due to the adoption of the Common Core standards, which did not include it.
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Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton), the sponsor of Assembly Bill 446, believes that learning cursive is crucial for young children’s academic development.
“As an elementary school teacher for over three decades, cursive writing was always an important part of our curriculum,” Ms. Quirk-Silva stated. “Writing in cursive has multiple benefits, including better brain development, retention, and learning in children. Writing in cursive helps join the auditory and language centers of the brain.”
She also emphasized the importance of cursive as a valuable skill for adults when it comes to signing important documents.
“It is also beneficial as an adult; the ability to sign their name in cursive is important for future job applications, writing checks, signing medical forms, obtaining driver’s licenses, and voting,” she added.
The bill received support from various education and advocacy groups, including the California Parents Union and the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
The Los Angeles County Office of Education highlighted research that demonstrates the vital connection between reading and the motor process of handwriting, which digital and keyboard skills cannot replicate.
“The mechanics of handwriting follow a sequence initiated in the brain similar to reading—the sound is heard and processed, a letter is attached and visualized, then translated into a shape on a page and produced with motor skills that reinforce the direction of lines and shapes to form letters. These letters then connect to form words and meaning is attached,” explained the education office in an Assembly Education Committee analysis.
According to the education office, reading and writing complement each other, and improvement in one area often leads to gains in the other.
“As a general rule, reading and writing go hand in hand, and the ability to actually handwrite is key in the development of young learners,” the organization concluded.
How does learning cursive writing enhance students’ creativity and self-expression?
Ting in cursive helps improve fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive development. It also enhances reading and comprehension skills by allowing students to make connections between letters and context.”
The bill received widespread support from educators, parents, and advocates of cursive writing. They believe that teaching cursive will not only benefit students academically but also culturally. Cursive writing has historical significance and is an important part of our heritage. By preserving this art form, we ensure that future generations can appreciate and understand historical documents written in cursive.
Moreover, learning cursive helps students develop their own unique handwriting style, making their written work more personal and expressive. It encourages creativity and self-expression, qualities that are valuable in all areas of life.
While some may argue that cursive writing is outdated in the digital age, proponents of the bill argue that it is still relevant and necessary. Cursive is used in many practical scenarios, such as signing legal documents, reading historical records, or simply writing personal notes and letters. By not teaching cursive, we risk creating a generation of young adults who are unable to read or write in this important style.
The bill does not specify how much time should be spent on teaching cursive or how it should be incorporated into the curriculum. This gives schools the flexibility to adapt their teaching methods to best suit their students’ needs.
California is not the only state to reintroduce cursive writing into its curriculum. In recent years, states such as Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama have also mandated cursive instruction in elementary schools. This resurgence of cursive writing emphasizes the importance of maintaining traditional skills in the face of rapid technological advancements.
Overall, the reintroduction of cursive writing in California’s elementary schools signifies a step towards recognizing the educational and cultural value of this skill. By equipping students with the ability to read and write in cursive, we empower them to engage with our history, express themselves creatively, and develop vital cognitive and motor skills. It is a positive shift that will have lasting benefits for California’s students and society as a whole.
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