News Summary
Georgia is set to reintroduce cursive writing in elementary schools starting in the 2025-2026 school year, following new English language arts standards. This decision counters the previous lack of formal handwriting instruction and aims to provide a comprehensive skill set for students. While many support the initiative, some parents question its relevance in the digital age. However, proponents highlight the cognitive benefits of cursive writing, especially for students with learning disabilities. A uniform cursive style will be recommended, and a recognition program will celebrate successful implementation in schools.
Georgia to Reintroduce Cursive Writing in Elementary Schools Starting 2025 School Year
Atlanta, GA — Cursive handwriting will make a return to the classroom in Georgia, with new English language arts standards set to take effect during the 2025-2026 school year. Under these updated guidelines, elementary students will engage in handwriting lessons as early as kindergarten, and cursive writing instruction will commence for students in third through fifth grades.
The decision to reintroduce cursive writing comes in response to the previous absence of explicit handwriting instruction in Georgia’s educational standards. The new curriculum aims to foster a comprehensive skill set among students. The Georgia Department of Education has stated that lessons will kick off when students return from summer break in the fall of 2025.
While the initiative has received broad support, it has also sparked debate among parents and educators. Some parents are voicing concerns over the necessity of including cursive handwriting in the curriculum, suggesting that time might be better allocated to developing typing and technology skills, which they deem more relevant in today’s digital age.
In contrast, proponents argue that cursive writing is more than just an old-fashioned skill; rather, it plays a crucial role in enhancing writing fluency and organization of thoughts. Supporters believe that cursive writing can significantly improve cognitive resources, enabling children to focus on higher-level reading and writing tasks rather than the mechanics of writing.
Benefits for Students
In particular, experts suggest that cursive handwriting could be beneficial for students with specific learning disabilities, such as dyslexia. The continuous motion involved in cursive writing may aid these students in articulating their thoughts more fluidly, facilitating better expression without interruptions typical of print handwriting.
Implementation Strategy
As part of the new standards, the Georgia Department of Education will distribute a guidance packet to schools and parents containing various resources to assist in teaching cursive writing. This packet will recommend that schools adopt a uniform cursive writing style, providing examples such as Zaner-Bloser and D’Nealian styles to ensure consistency across different districts.
Students will start learning cursive in third grade and will continue practicing it through fourth and fifth grades. School districts are encouraged to coordinate cursive instruction with print handwriting, which is taught in earlier grades. The state board of education expressed strong support for this initiative, approving the new standards with a vote of 13-1 in May 2023.
A Recognition Program
In an effort to promote excellence in cursive instruction, the initiative includes the introduction of the John Hancock Award, which will recognize schools that demonstrate notable achievement in teaching cursive writing. The state school superintendent has stated that cursive writing not only strengthens fine motor skills and improves literacy but also serves to connect students with historical documents.
Conclusion
The upcoming changes in Georgia’s educational framework highlight a renewed focus on the art of handwriting, aiming to equip students with valuable skills that transcend mere functionality. By reintroducing cursive writing into classroom learning, Georgia schools are paving the way for a balanced approach to literacy that integrates both traditional and modern educational needs.
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Additional Resources
- Georgia Recorder
- Google Search: cursive writing in schools Georgia
- Savannah Now
- Encyclopedia Britannica: cursive writing
- The Georgia Sun
- Google News: Georgia Department of Education cursive writing
