The Return of Cursive Handwriting in Schools
- January 30, 2026
- By Alice Knisley Matthias
January has been a big month for handwriting!
Technology has given us the ability to create messages with typing, tapping or voice-to-text options making the idea of “learning the loops” of cursive handwriting seem like a completely unknown concept to many students. For some experienced readers and writers, bringing back cursive writing to school programs is a welcome return for a skill they feel should never have left the classroom.
National Handwriting Day is observed annually on January 23 to promote the benefits of writing with pen or pencil on paper. The date was chosen in 1977 by the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA) to acknowledge the birthday of John Hancock, known for his famous swirling signature at the bottom of the Declaration of Independence.
Hancock was the first man to sign the Declaration of Independence and the flowing curves of his signature on the historical document are so well-known that the phrase “place your John Hancock here” is another term for “sign your name.”
On Monday, Jan. 19, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a new state law that will bring back instruction for cursive handwriting for grades three through five in all public schools, according to CBS News, ABC News and NJ.com.
“The return to including cursive instruction is especially meaningful as New Jersey celebrates the upcoming 250th anniversary of our country’s founding – giving our students the skills they need to read our nation’s founding documents and complete tasks like opening a bank account or signing a check, in addition to offering cognitive benefits,” Murphy said in a press release, according to outlets.
“We owe it to our students to give them a well-rounded education that ensures they have the tools to fully understand our rich history and become competent leaders,” he added.
The bill was one of the last official acts by Gov. Murphy before the swearing in of Gov. Mikie Sherrill as the second female governor in New Jersey on Jan. 20.
Handwriting is used for record-keeping, historical documents, personal and professional correspondence, works of literature and art. Calligraphy, the craft of decorative lettering, appears on diplomas, programs, menus and invitations.
Digital options allow us to take notes or record with the use of electronic devices but research suggests that the physical act of writing by hand has benefits like improving focus, reducing stress, and helping with memory retention.
A recent report by NBC’s Emile Ikeda on Today says language experts report cursive writing is shown to improve reading, memory and fine motor skills in children. Georgia, Kentucky and California have recently made requirements for instruction in classes,
Why States Are Pushing to Save Cursive Handwriting in Schools
For young learners, studies show that tracing out the traditional ABCs, as opposed to typing them on a keyboard or screen, leads to a lasting recognition and understanding of letters. Writing by hand also improves memory and the recall of words and these skills help create the foundations of literacy and learning for students.
