Cursive writing is like a secret code to many because it was removed from classrooms when Common Core State Standards were implemented beginning in 2010. Common Core directors decided that the teaching of cursive handwriting was unnecessary and eliminated it from the standards. That decision eliminated cursive writing from public school curricula in 41 states, including Pennsylvania. We now have a generation of Americans who may not be able to read this country’s founding documents. Now, thanks to bi-partisan support, that will begin to change in Pennsylvania!

Why was cursive removed from the Common Core Sate Standards? Did all schools in Pennsylvania stop teaching handwriting? How will this new legislation help?

Representative Dane Watro, representing parts of Luzerne and Schuylkill Counties, notified his colleagues via a December 2024 memo that he would bring forth a bill requiring cursive handwriting be taught in all PA schools. In an effort to gain support for the legislation, he provided the following reasons for teaching cursive handwriting:

• Cognitive Benefits – reinforces neural connections & hand/eye coordination;
• Supporting Developmental Milestones – fine motor skills & psychological development;
• Practical Applications – ability to create a signature & read seminal American documents;
• Other States Are Doing It – 24 other states encoded the requirement.

Rep. Watro received bi-partisan support for his legislation. And, after a year working through committees and both chambers, on February 11, 2026 Governor Shapiro signed House Bill 17 into law. In Pennsylvania, printing, joined italics, and cursive handwriting now must be included as subjects of instruction in all elementary public and private schools. This will not only help children sign their names, but it will enable them to understand our founding documents.

* NOTE:  Joined italics is similar to cursive writing, but is less formal with fewer loops and connections to letters.

Common Core State Standards, or Common Core, was an initiative started in 2010 that was directed by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers to provide consistent expectations and skills across all states at each grade level.

At the time decisions were made regarding English and language standards, many involved were focused on the need for children to learn how to use technology for writing and communicating. According to Sue Pimentel, one of the state standard writers, she heard from teachers around the country that “cursive writing tasks take an enormous amount of instructional time.” As a result, the printing writing standards remained, the time-suck of cursive was removed, and internet/technology requirements were implemented. It seems little thought was given to teaching children how to sign their names! It just wasn’t the priority.

Although the Common Core curriculum was required throughout PA, it was a minimum standard for all schools. If schools and teachers wanted to enhance the learning with additional material, then they could. As a result, some public schools continued to teach cursive handwriting, however the vast majority did not. Catholic schools, however, being accustomed to teaching core subjects plus their religion classes, continued to teach cursive handwriting over the last 16 years, while folding technology into their instructional methods to meet Common Core standards. Creativity, flexibility, and common sense go a long way in educating our children, and they deserve it all!

As the Constitutional Convention ended in 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked if the delegates produced a monarchy or a republic. Franklin replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.”

We are trying to keep this republic that we love and hold our representatives accountable to the people. Join us in that mission and share this Update with your contacts!