SHALER TOWNSHIP, Pa. \u2014 Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed bipartisan legislation into law on Wednesday, mandating all elementary schools in the state teach cursive handwriting. <\/p>\n
Pennsylvania eliminated the requirement around 2010. According to the bill, this new mandate will take effect within 60 days.<\/p>\n
Teaching the writing style is currently required in at least 24 states. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s a great idea. My son is 14 and can\u2019t even sign his name. So, I think it is an amazing idea,\u201d Shaler Elementary School parent Jessica Vey said. \u201c2020 hit when he was learning cursive, and then he never went back and then never learned it, so I think it\u2019s great.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rep. Dane Watro (R-District 116) sponsored the bill and says it will help fine motor skills and brain development for young kids, while also teaching them how to properly form a signature. <\/p>\n
Watro says a signature is a unique identifier that AI may struggle to reproduce. <\/p>\n
Also, he says cursive illiteracy keeps kids from being able to read key historical documents such as the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution. <\/p>\n
But elementary school students, like Adyson from Shaler, said they aren\u2019t sure how they feel about adding a new subject to their school day.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s harder for some people to read because, if people have different handwritings, it will be harder for some people than other people,\u201d Adyson said. \u201cIt\u2019s fun to learn. I don\u2019t like it myself because I think it\u2019s like weird, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n
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