Cursive Writing May Soon Be Mandatory in Pennsylvania Elementary Schools
PENNSYLVANIA – A bill that would make cursive handwriting instruction mandatory in all Pennsylvania elementary schools has passed the state House and is now headed to the Senate, potentially making the state the 25th in the U.S. to adopt such a requirement.
The bill applies to both public and private elementary schools and is designed to ensure students develop a basic competency in cursive writing — once considered a hallmark of early education but now largely phased out in the digital age, according to FOX 29 Philadelphia.
Cursive Writing’s Cognitive and Developmental Benefits
Supporters of the bill cite research showing that learning cursive can improve brain activity, especially in areas related to:
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Memory
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Language development
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Fine motor coordination
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Critical thinking skills
“In an increasingly digital world, cursive has fallen by the wayside,” said Rep. Sane Watro, a sponsor of the bill.
“However, there are compelling cognitive, developmental, and practical reasons for ensuring students have at least a basic grasp of cursive writing.”
Educators across the country have debated whether cursive instruction is outdated, but several states have begun reintroducing it based on similar neurological findings.
A Return to the Basics
If enacted, the bill would require schools to integrate cursive writing into existing literacy or handwriting curricula. It does not mandate advanced proficiency, but students would be expected to read and write in cursive at a basic level by the end of elementary school.
The initiative comes amid a broader push across the U.S. to reintroduce foundational learning methods that were once standard but have been sidelined by digital-first teaching models.
Next Steps in the Legislature
Having passed the Pennsylvania House with majority support, the bill now advances to the Pennsylvania Senate, where it will be reviewed by a relevant committee before potentially heading to a floor vote.
If signed into law, implementation would begin in the 2025–2026 school year, allowing districts time to align lesson plans, purchase materials, and train teachers.
Do you believe cursive writing should be a required part of modern education? Is it still relevant in the digital age, or should schools focus on typing and coding instead? Share your opinion at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
