Cursive is making a comeback. But does it deserve one?

Cursive writing, once a common practice in American schools, appears to be experiencing a resurgence in popularity. However, the question remains whether cursive instruction truly holds significant value in today's educational landscape. The origins of cursive instruction date back to the first half of the 20th century when penmanship was often taught as a distinct subject in elementary schools.

Some child development researchers believed that writing in print was easier for young children to learn, leading to the introduction of cursive in later grades.

Over the past few decades, however, cursive instruction has become less prevalent. Factors such as overcrowded curricula, the rise of technology, and the adoption of standards-based learning have contributed to the decline of cursive instruction. In the 1980s, instructional time for cursive in some schools was reduced to 30-60 minutes per week. In the early 2010s, states like North Carolina and others began mandating cursive instruction, citing the importance of reading historical documents and preserving family history.

Proponents of cursive argue that it offers several benefits for learners. A 2020 study conducted in Norway found that writing in cursive activates brain waves and neural pathways linked to learning and memory. Learning cursive has also been associated with improved outcomes for learners with dyslexia and dysgraphia. Furthermore, some studies suggest that cursive writing can enhance writing fluency and quality, and may even give early reading skills a boost.

Despite these claims, skeptics question the effectiveness of cursive instruction. Critics argue that the science supporting cursive's advantages is not as robust as its supporters claim. While the evidence does show that handwriting generally outperforms typing in terms of learning and memory, the specific benefits of cursive over print remain unclear. Additionally, many educators today did not learn cursive themselves, making it challenging to implement cursive instruction in schools.

As cursive instruction continues to be debated, it is essential to weigh the potential benefits against the practical challenges of teaching and learning it. Ultimately, the decision to prioritize cursive instruction in schools may depend on individual state goals and the perceived value of preserving this historical writing style.