New legislation would implement program by fall
LANSING — Once thought to be a thing of the past, learning to write in cursive could be making a comeback.
Legislation recently introduced by State Rep. Brenda Carter, a Pontiac Democrat, is calling for the Michigan Department of Education to develop or adopt a model program of instruction on cursive penmanship.
House Bill 4483 would lead to the development of the program, which would then be made available to Michigan's public schools, who would have the option to implement the program into their district's curriculum.
"Even in the age of technology, there is merit and value to penmanship and good handwriting," said Carter. "Practicing cursive as a child can help improve memory and creativity. The majority of our nation's founding documents are written in cursive, and many of us still use it to this day."
"By failing to teach our children how to write and read in cursive, we render them partially illiterate in their own language and our students deserve better," she added.
The Common Core State Standards adopted by Michigan in 2010 set national benchmarks for American public schools, but do not require students to learn cursive.
While some schools still teach cursive, typically beginning in the second grade, some argue mastering typing and computer skills is more useful for preparing students for future success.
Proponents of cursive, such as Carter, say research shows that cursive handwriting has many benefits outside of penmanship itself.
Writing in cursive can stimulate the brain, improve fine motor skills and increase memory retention. Learning to write in cursive also has been known to help improve self-discipline through practicing a complex skill.
The bill has been referred to the House Education Committee.