1. Is Cursive Writing a Dying
Art?
By Todd A. Mulligan
“For centuries, cursive handwriting has been an art. To a growing
number of young people, it is a mystery.”
Katie Zezima, New York Times, April 27, 2011
There is a debate raging in U.S. elementary schools. With all the competition for
time in the classroom such as teaching technology, foreign languages, and curriculum
for the standardized tests, cursive writing instruction is being decreased or is not being
taught at all.
During the peak time of the 1940’s-50’s, teachers gave at least 2 hours a week to
this subject. Until the 1970’s, students had daily writing classes. Cursive writing was
generally taught from third grade until sixth grade. Today it is taught primarily only in
third grade. Handwriting in the 21st Century? An Educational Summit was held in
Washington, D.C., in January 2012. A survey of the 150 attendees, which included
researchers along with educators, found that a majority felt that handwriting should be
taught through the fifth grade.
A study from Hanover Research in Washington, D.C., has determined that a
child’s fine motor skills associated with handwriting are not fully developed until the age
of ten. If a child begins Kindergarten at the age of six, they would be only nine in third

2. grade. Other research provides evidence that skills in handwriting increase brain
activation, reading, writing, language, and critical thinking skills.
A University of Vanderbilt Professor, Steve Graham, conducted research on a
group of first graders. These students were only able to write 10-12 letters per minute.
They were taught cursive writing three times a week for 15 minutes a session. After nine
weeks, the students had doubled their writing speed and their thoughts were far more
complex.
We are living in a digital age and our tools of communication have drastically
changed. It is important that students learn keyboarding skills so they can competently
use computers, smart phones, and other electronic devices. However, there is too much
to be lost if students today do not know how to read and write in cursive.
There would be a great loss and appreciation of history. Even though important
historical documents are online in printed form, students would be unable to read
original copies of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. An unknown
handwritten poem from writer Robert Frost was found by a University of Virginia
researcher. Those who couldn’t read this work of art would be missing out on this tactile
means of expression.
On a more personal level, finding a diary or journal from a family member would
not have as much significance to one who cannot read the intimate feelings and

3. experiences of a long lost relative. The use of block letters for a signature is not as
forgery-proof as cursive writing.
Knowledge is power and the ability to read and write in cursive needs to exist so
the past will continue to be a strong source of education.
SOURCES: Hanover Research
NYTimes.com
Washington Post
WSJ.com (radio)