The return of cursive in Georgia: New standards for elementary students

Georgia's updated English Language Arts standards now require cursive writing for 3rd through 5th graders, with school leaders highlighting its academic and developmental benefits.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Elementary students across Georgia will soon be required to learn cursive writing, as part of new English Language Arts standards taking effect this school year.

The Georgia Department of Education has updated its ELA standards to require cursive writing for students in 3rd through 5th grade. School leaders in Middle Georgia point out that learning to write in cursive can enhance fine motor skills and improve cognitive function.

Olena Stadnik-Floore, the Elementary Services Director for the Bibb County School District, says cursive writing is a wonderful way for students to communicate.

“And really, when we increase the fluency and the automaticity, which cursive allows us do, allows the students to do it, it really opens up their opportunities for them to really think and be able to express their thoughts,” she said.

So here’s the breakdown: third graders will be introduced to cursive writing and taught how to write individual letters. Fourth graders will learn how to write cursive in sentences, and by fifth grade, children should be able to read and write in cursive.

The Dublin School District has been adding cursive writing to its educational program for a couple of years now. Matt Taylor, the Principal at Irish Gifted Academy, says cursive instruction began for eighth graders two years ago, and they expanded the program to include third and fifth graders last year.

“We focus more on the reading of it first, trying to navigate how to form this and how to read it because if you can read it, that’s gonna help you in writing it, and so we kind of did the reverse aspect of it,” he said.

Taylor says while cursive writing certainly helps with fine motor skills and cognitive function, he believes the connection to history is invaluable.

“The writings and a lot of the books, a lot of the things we find from history, from who paved the way for us today, a lot of is written in cursive,” he said. “So beyond that, for our students to be able to research that, understand that and interpret that, I think is a big—that’s to me that’s one of the main things—is understanding history, because that’s one thing we’ve got to understand and comprehend.”

For parents who are on the fence about the new required course, Olena says she understands the concern—especially because of the digital world we live in—but assures parents this skill will not hinder progress, but actually provide additional tools for students, particularly those who may struggle with reading and spelling, including those with dyslexia.

“Cursive writing is really helpful for students with dyslexia because it opens up that space in your working memory,” she said. “So you are able to focus more on the reading and the spelling in the writing. So, it has a lot of benefits to it. That we may not think of now that we’re adults. But for the kids in that developmental stage that they’re in, it is really helpful.”