HB 921 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb921-00
Page 1 of 2
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to required instruction in cursive 2
writing; amending s. 1003.42, F.S.; requiring students 3
in specified grades to receive instruction in cursive 4
writing; providing requirements for such instruction; 5
requiring students to demonstrate proficiency in 6
cursive writing by the end of a specified grade; 7
defining the term "proficiency in cursive writing"; 8
providing an effective date. 9
10
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 11
12
Section 1. Paragraph (w) is added to subsection (2) of 13
section 1003.42, Florida Statutes, to read: 14
1003.42 Required instruction. — 15
(2) Members of the instructional staff of the public 16
schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education 17
and the district school board, shall teach efficiently and 18
faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the 19
highest standards for professionalism and historical accuracy, 20
following the prescribed course s of study, and employing 21
approved methods of instruction, the following: 22
(w)1. For students in grades 2 through 5, the study of 23
cursive writing and the development of the skills necessary for 24
legible cursive writing, including: 25
HB 921 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb921-00
Page 2 of 2
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
a. Letter formation. 26
b. Proper spacing and alignment. 27
c. Practice in writing complete words and sentences in 28
cursive. 29
2. By the end of grade 5, each student must demonstrate 30
proficiency in cursive writing through an evaluation of written 31
work. For purposes of this subparag raph, the term "proficiency 32
in cursive writing" means all of the following: 33
a. The ability to write uppercase and lowercase letters of 34
the alphabet in cursive writing. 35
b. Writing words and sentences in cursive legibly and 36
maintaining proper spacing an d alignment. 37
c. The ability to read and apply cursive writing in a 38
manner that supports literacy development, including writing 39
essays and assignments in cursive writing in accordance with 40
state academic standards. 41
42
The State Board of Education is encouraged to adopt standards 43
and pursue assessment of the requirements of this subsection. 44
Instructional programming that incorporates the values of the 45
recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor and that is 46
offered as part of a social studies, Englis h Language Arts, or 47
other schoolwide character building and veteran awareness 48
initiative meets the requirements of paragraph (u). 49
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025. 50