politics
Cursive's unlikely AI-fueled comeback, explained
Learning to read and write cursive was once a rite of passage for practically every American schoolchild.
TL;DR
- Cursive was a common writing method taught in American schools until the late 20th century.
- Instruction time for cursive decreased significantly due to curriculum changes, the standards-based movement, and the rise of computers.
- Cursive instruction is being reinstated in over 25 states, with lawmakers citing reasons like reading historical documents, preserving family history, and preventing AI misuse.
- Studies suggest cursive writing activates brain pathways for learning and memory, and may benefit learners with dyslexia and dysgraphia.
- Research indicates potential advantages for cursive in writing fluency and early reading skills, though some evidence is debated.
- Challenges to reintroducing cursive include teachers lacking the skill themselves and fitting the instruction into already crowded school days.