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FLORIDA - Florida lawmakers are advancing a bill that would make cursive handwriting a required and graded part of public school education for students in grades two through five starting in the 2025–2026 school year.
A new bill, House Bill 921, aims to make cursive handwriting a mandatory part of public school instruction for students in grades two through five.
Introduced by Rep. Tobin Overdorf (R–Palm City), the bill passed unanimously in the Florida House on March 20th.
It would require schools to teach students how to write in cursive, including proper spacing and alignment, and assess their ability to write full words and sentences.
Students would be evaluated for cursive proficiency by the end of fifth grade.
If signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, the requirement would take effect in the 2025–2026 school year.
Florida is currently among just 23 states with cursive instruction guidelines, though evaluations aren’t required.
Many private schools in the state already emphasize the skill, prompting calls for public schools to offer similar instruction.
Not everyone agrees it’s essential. Some argue that the focus should remain on core subjects.
However, others, including former educators and parents, view cursive as a valuable skill that enhances self-expression and connects students to historical documents and cultural identity.
The Senate companion bill, SB 1394, still awaits final approval before any changes can be signed into law.