Traditional handwriting is making a comeback in California schools with the recent signing of a bill by the Governor. EdSource reports that Assembly Bill 446, championed by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, D-Fullerton, mandates cursive instruction for students in the first through sixth grades, with flexibility for teachers to incorporate it within their curriculum, rather than specifying it for a particular grade.
As per CBS, the requirement for cursive instruction had lapsed in 2010, and Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva asserts that the new law addresses a growing concern. There’s worry that young adults who missed cursive education in school might lack essential skills for tasks like signing important documents. In an era dominated by digital learning, cursive writing’s role in students’ studies has been diminishing.
Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva notes, “Research has demonstrated that cursive handwriting contributes to a child’s brain development, including memorization, and enhances fine motor skills.”
The law is slated to take effect in January.