Submitted for use on Dec. 11, 2023
Word Count: 369
By State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg)
It is clear our students need support – now more than ever – to build foundational reading, comprehension and writing skills for their future success.
While lawmakers look to tackle literacy during the 2024 legislative session, I plan to join this initiative by also advocating for cursive writing curriculum, since various studies show knowing how to write in cursive helps improve information retention and comprehension abilities – supporting the successful development of reading and writing skills.
During the 2023 legislative session, I authored Senate Enrolled Act 72 to see how many Indiana schools teach cursive writing and whether students at public and private schools have the same opportunity to receive this education.
The Indiana Department of Education surveyed 1,770 schools across Indiana. Of the 1,386 respondents, 91% of state-accredited non-public schools are teaching cursive, but only 52% of public schools reported teaching it.
Unfortunately, this reveals that students who attend public schools are at a clear disadvantage compared to those in private schools, and their disadvantage is made worse when compared to students living in 25 other states where cursive writing is an academic requirement.
Opponents of cursive writing say schools should focus more on teaching typewriting skills in an evolving age of technology and online work. I argue, cursive is equally important, and we risk limiting development of students' learning abilities by moving away from essential handwriting curriculum.
Research shows writing in cursive heightens activity in certain parts of the brain tied to memory and encoding new information, which is integral to early childhood learning. In fact, studies show children who wrote in cursive had better reading and writing skills compared to those who didn't.
I have been an unwavering proponent of cursive writing in the Indiana General Assembly for more than a decade. My concerns originally centered around making sure our children could sign their names on legal documents and read historical texts, but it is now much larger than that. They need to have the necessary motor skills and strong cognitive ability to succeed academically and professionally, and learning cursive writing can only further support their development.
If you have any questions or concerns on these or other topics, feel free to contact me at Senator.Leising@iga.in.gov or 317-232-9493.
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State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) represents Senate District 42, which includes Decatur, Fayette, Ripley and Rush counties, and portions of Franklin, Jennings and Shelby counties.
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