Cursive handwriting bill signed into law

I was in a store just the other day and overhead a cashier and customer discussing how kids don't learn cursive any more, and the need for them to have this skill. Looks like they weren't the only ones thinking this!

Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma Historical Society

Cursive handwriting bill signed into law

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 24th) – Oklahoma House Representative Jason Lowe, D-Oklahoma City, had his bill HB 3727 signed into law yesterday by the Governor. The bill’s Senate author is Sen. Kevin Matthews, D-Tulsa.

The bill requires cursive handwriting instruction for students in third through fifth grade.

“I am very pleased that my legislation, House Bill 3727, is now law,” Lowe said. “Elementary students from 3rd through 5th grade will now benefit from learning to write in cursive. This important skill will help them in many ways throughout their lives. Learning cursive handwriting is proven to improve students’ neural and motor function, as well as their grammar, handwriting, and spelling. It can also assist them with reading historical documents.”

As of 2024, America has 24 states that require cursive handwriting instruction. 

“I feel that children should be able to uniquely sign their name, read historical documents and understand what their grandparents and relatives have written in the past,” Matthews said.