Louisiana Kids Required to Learn Cursive This School Year

Cursive writing has had a tough couple of years.  Lack of use in the modern age has threatened the very existence of this style of handwriting.  Couple that with the fact that most people don't even write at all these days (most are typing), it's amazing that it hasn't disappeared already. My 8 year old son has asked me on numerous occasions why he has to learn how to read and write this ancient language.  I tell him "because I said so," but the truth is, the only reasons I can think of are signing checks and reading historical documents.  Almost nothing is being created now that necessitates reading or writing in cursive.

I'm not sure if it is an effort to revive the kooky connected letters, or simply to prepare kids for a life of fame and autograph signing - but the State of Louisiana is requiring schools to teach cursive as a major part of the writing component in the 2017-2018 school year.  According to WTSP,  the new rules were actually approved last year, but most districts gave teachers a year to prepare.  The state requires that cursive be taught starting in 3rd grade and stay a major part of the writing curriculum through 12th grade.