Governor Josh Shapiro signed a bill last week requiring that cursive handwriting lessons return to Pennsylvania classrooms beginning April 12, writes Peter Hall for Pennsylvania Capital-Star.  

The law, which was supported by Rep. Dane Watro and Sen. Wayne Langerholc, will also add printing and joined italics to writing curricula. 

For years, lawmakers have been pushing to bring back cursive writing in Pennsylvania schools, following in the footsteps of 18 other states already requiring it. 

With a vast majority of important historical and legal documents being written in the formal penmanship, many felt it necessary to promote the skill. 

“By reintegrating cursive into the curriculum, we are not simply teaching handwriting, we are investing in our students’ cognitive development, strengthening their legal preparedness and preserving their connection to historical literacy,” Langerholc said. 

Pennsylvania, along with most other states, removed its cursive requirements when the switch to Common Core standards was made in 2010. The initiative was designed to maintain consistency in education requirements nationwide. 

“At least 24 states have laws requiring cursive instruction because those states understand cursive provides students another way to learn, express themselves and be better prepared for their future academic, professional and personal lives,” said Watro. 

Read more about the new law requiring Pennsylvania schools to reintegrate cursive writing into their curricula in Pennsylvania Capital-Star. 

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