State Senator Wants Indiana Schools To Teach Cursive Writing

USA Today (1/9, Elliott) reports that in 2011, the Indiana Department of Education decided that schools did not need to teach students cursive writing. "That's what prompted state Sen. Jean Leising, R-Oldenburg, to file legislation last year to restore cursive to the state curriculum. She was unsuccessful, but she's trying again because it's a skill she thinks kids will need as adults in order to read notes from their bosses." Some believe cursive writing is "an anachronism in a digitized society," but cursive proponents contend "it benefits youngsters' brains, coordination and motor skills." Leising's bill passed the Senate in a 45-5 last year, but it failed to receive a floor vote in the House. House Education Committee Chairman Bob Behning said he remains unmotivated to move the bill forward this year, saying it was "inappropriate" to "mandate curriculum in such a specific way."