Requires school districts to provide instruction in cursive writing
Impact
The implementation of this bill will directly influence the curricula of elementary schools across the state. By requiring cursive writing instruction, the bill aims to ensure that students do not lose the ability to read and write cursive as technology increasingly dominates written communication. This legislative change signals a return to traditional handwriting education, which has declined in recent years due to the rise of digital literacy and typing skills prioritization.
Summary
House Bill 2073 mandates that each school district in Missouri must provide instruction in cursive writing for elementary school students. The goal is for students to be able to produce readable cursive handwriting by the time they finish fifth grade. In addition to the instructional requirement, the bill stipulates that students must also demonstrate proficiency in both reading and writing cursive through a teacher-constructed test.
Contention
While supporters of HB 2073 argue that teaching cursive writing is essential for preserving communication skills and historical literacy, critics may contend that the focus on cursive is unnecessary in an age where digital communication is prevalent. Some may question whether the time allocated for cursive instruction could be better spent on other subjects, suggesting a possible debate within educational policy regarding priorities in teaching methodologies.