@pzmyers

I would like to know who is pushing "require cursive handwriting" legislation in multiple US states at the same time.

Since this seems coordinated, like the blanket cell-phone ban bills a couple of years ago.

https://mastodon.online/@michael_w_busch/116296300619010574

@michael_w_busch @pzmyers

Cursive is big at Steiner schools. I find the cell phone bans much more sinister. I don't really care about cursive but feeling confident writing by hand is a useful skill. It should never be a hurdle that prevents a kid from moving forward.

I think this just rings "back to basics" feel good bells for people over 45. Is Josh gonna buy some nice notebooks and pens for the schools or will I need to pay for those (I already do, I teach calligraphy as an extra)

@futurebird @michael_w_busch @pzmyers

As someone who was taught cursive starting in 2nd grade and who had no problems doing it, I think I'm somewhat qualified to say that I see it completely unnecessary as a mandatory subject.

Writing by hand, yes, mandatory; cursive as an option, yes; cursive as mandatory, no.

...and even though I was perfectly good at it, it's not what I use when I want to write quickly and legibly.

(My understanding -- check with an actual primary-school educator -- is that it was originally developed for writing with a quill-pen, because they are prone to splotching when lifted from the page. With modern writing implements, other issues take precedence.)