ELECTRONICALLY CONFIRM THE DRIVER’S INSURANCE WITHOUT NEEDING TO CONTACT THEM. GOVERNOR SHAPIRO ALSO SIGNED A BILL INTO LAW TO REQUIRE CURSIVE HANDWRITING BE TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS. LAWMAKERS SAY WITH EVERYTHING GOING DIGITAL, DIGITAL CURSIVE HAS NOT BEEN TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS AS MUCH. LAWMAKERS SAY KNOWING HOW TO WRIT
Gov. Shapiro signs bill that requires Pennsylvania schools to teach cursive
Updated: 8:04 AM EST Feb 12, 2026
Pennsylvania students will soon be required to learn cursive handwriting in school under a new law signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro. The bill was introduced in December 2024 by Rep. Dane Watro, who said cursive instruction has faded in an increasingly digital world despite cognitive, developmental and practical benefits, noting that 24 states already have laws requiring cursive instruction. In a memo circulated to House members, Watro cited research suggesting cursive can activate areas of the brain tied to executive function, fine motor skills and working memory, and said it aligns with developmental milestones typically reached around third grade.Watro also pointed to real-world uses for handwriting, including signatures on important documents, and said students need cursive to read historical records. Watro claimed that “a growing cursive illiteracy poses a threat to accessing and comprehending key historical sources, such as the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.” The bill was signed and approved by Shapiro on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. Under the legislation, schools will be required to teach cursive handwriting or joined italics at the appropriate grade levels.
Pennsylvania students will soon be required to learn cursive handwriting in school under a new law signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro.
The bill was introduced in December 2024 by Rep. Dane Watro, who said cursive instruction has faded in an increasingly digital world despite cognitive, developmental and practical benefits, noting that 24 states already have laws requiring cursive instruction.
In a memo circulated to House members, Watro cited research suggesting cursive can activate areas of the brain tied to executive function, fine motor skills and working memory, and said it aligns with developmental milestones typically reached around third grade.
Watro also pointed to real-world uses for handwriting, including signatures on important documents, and said students need cursive to read historical records.
Watro claimed that “a growing cursive illiteracy poses a threat to accessing and comprehending key historical sources, such as the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.”
The bill was signed and approved by Shapiro on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026.
Under the legislation, schools will be required to teach cursive handwriting or joined italics at the appropriate grade levels.