Question for peeps with kids in grade school

[Mikey]

Was at the docs today sitting in the waiting room and was chewing the fat with a few ladies.

Their topic was today's kid's are not taught cursive writing in school.

This seemed very strange and I thought the lady was putting us on and then another lady confirmed this by saying her son is in highschool and she recently had to teach him how to sign his name. --- he was never taught in grade school.

Is this true ?

I know Pennsylvania is a little backwards but come on

[Earth 2 Chris]

It's being phased out in most schools. My son learned cursive (he's in 6th grade now), but it sounds like my daughter (who is in kindergarten) may not be taught it, or a very limited amount if they do still touch on it at all.

Chris

[Mikey]

Wow !!!!!

That's weird ...

So most kids wont even be able read cursive either in a few years.

--- I bet it's a secret plot so the masses wont be able to read the US Constitiution

[palitoy]

Yeah no cursive here either, I don't know how I feel about it. I mean, mine is absolutely bizarre but it seems like something we shouldn't ditch.

[EMCE Hammer]

I am totally bummed about it to the extent that my wife and I are considering teaching it ourselves. I guess the assumption is that no one writes anymore, so why teach the flow of cursive? I find it depressing.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^Yeah, it is depressing. I'm glad our son learned it. If Dani doesn't get it in school, we may teach it at home too.

Chris

[Nostalgiabuff]

I think they teach the letters so kids learn to sign their names, but cursive writing is not required anymore. won't be long before they are not taught to write at all and it will all be on computers

[z3zep]

I was shocked when I first heard this as well. It is a shame. You know most people don't even really sign their name, they just scribble.

[GaryPlaysWithDolls]

I understand how people feel, but it seems like all that teaching time could be better spent on something else a little more relevant. I trained as an English teacher. Heck, even when you do have to handwrite stuff they want you to print. Though, I like the constitution theory.

[jds1911a1]

Wow !!!!!

That's weird ...

So most kids wont even be able read cursive either in a few years.

--- I bet it's a secret plot so the masses wont be able to read the US Constitiution

I think it's a school district by disctrict decision

You may laugh but when our school board tried to cut it that the very argument I used - if kids cant write in cursive then they can never read the declartion of independance or the constitution as it was written for themselves, it worked for now at least my kids are in 4th grade and are learning cursive

of course in 20 years how many kids will even do research via books or the library it'll all be google searhc results

[Confessional]

Yup, true… disappearing across the States in districts big and small alike. Our country is still young and continues to struggle with the valuation and preservation of culture. vs. the advancements of technology.

I strongly support the continuation, but I'd rather see it incorporated into art and design curriculum ala the great European academy models whereby artists and designers were trained in calligraphy, letterform, typography, heraldry, glass arts, etc. in combination with the fine arts. This would be especially valuable for graphic designers, illustrators, animators, and industrial designers. Yes, a pipe dream I know… as the arts are disappearing (particularly K-8) en mass too.

[HardyGirl]

That's unbelievable! Yes, it's depressing. But sadly most school assignments are Xeroxed or e-mailed, and most kids don't even have to bring pencils to class! When my grandniece comes of age, you can be sure us "old fogeys" will teach her to write in cursive!

I remember when we first started learning cursive in 3rd grade. Even the alphabet over the chalkboard was in cursive. When we took out our papers, the teacher told us to fold a diagonal line from the top right corner to the bottom left corner and point the bottom left corner at our stomachs, so the paper would be slanted and our cursive would slant right. *sigh* Gone are the days.

[Mikey]

Just hand a thought, in the not too distant future nobody will know what chicken scratch means

[cockyhoskins]

SC hasn't required it since 2008. Recently, a state senate panel approved a bill to require it again, but it is most likely going to be shot down because the additional cost to teach it in state schools is allegedly $27 million.

To me, it is a fundamental that should be taught, no different than reading, math, etc. However, I can see why it's been phased out. I can't even remember the last time I wrote something down on paper! And when I do, I find that my handwriting is getting worse from lack of practice. LOL

[Iron Mego]

I was initially bothered to learn that it was going the way of the dinosaur, but then I thought, "When the hell was the last time I wrote something in cursive?" There's no practical use for it anymore. The only time I've used it since high school was to write a letter to my daughter as the Tooth Fairy.