New PA Law Requires Cursive Writing in Schools

Pennsylvania (PA) school children will soon be required to learn cursive handwriting under a new state law.

On Wednesday, Feb. 11, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced on social media that he signed House Bill 17 into law, mandating cursive handwriting education in all public and private schools in Pennsylvania.

State Rep. Dane Watro (R-Luzerne and Schuylkill) sponsored the bipartisan bill. He argued that cursive writing education boosts cognitive growth, memory, language, critical thinking, fine motor skills, and dexterity.

“It connects us to our history, strengthens learning, and deepens our understanding of the world,” he said in a press release obtained by CBS Pittsburgh. “By teaching cursive, we're equipping students with skills that sharpen the mind and safeguard our shared heritage.” Watro noted that students who learn to write in cursive will be better able to interpret and appreciate historical documents, such as the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

The bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to require cursive instruction in Pennsylvania schools. Fifteen Republicans and three Democrats supported the bill. According to ABC27, the law will take effect in 60 days.

Cursive writing education is already required in at least 24 other states, according to ABC27.

This year isn't the first time that the topic of cursive writing in schools has come up in the state. Rep. Joe Adams (R-Wayne and Pike) proposed a similar mandated cursive writing instruction bill during the 2024-2025 legislative session.

“You can't open a bank account without signing your name. You can't buy a property or get a credit card without having to be able to sign your name,” Adams said at the time, highlighting the importance of learning to write in cursive.

Pennsylvania's former Education Secretary Khalid Mumin, however, said he is not in favor of the new legislation, claiming that cursive writing instruction is not vital for public classrooms.

“Secretary Mumin encourages schools to determine the best paths for their students to learn to communicate effectively in writing and achieve success, regardless of the mode of writing used to get there,” said education department spokesman Taj Magruder in a statement shared with PennLive.