California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed a bill that mandates the inclusion of cursive writing instruction in the curriculum for students in grades one through six.
This legislative initiative, penned by former educator and State Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, aims to ensure that all students have access to historical documents, as many of these crucial records are often written in cursive.
The resurgence of cursive instruction comes as the art of handwriting has taken a back seat with the advent of computers and smart devices.
Vicki Gravlin, an accomplished California educator and Executive Director of Curriculum Instruction for Oceanside Unified, highlights the cognitive advantages of reintroducing cursive writing into educational practices.
She notes that cursive writing engages a specific region of the brain not activated by print or typing, potentially enhancing writing fluency in many children.
This new California law is set to come into effect in January 2024, signaling a significant shift in the state’s approach to education.