Cursive Making a Comeback

Since Common Core was introduced back in 2010, conservatives have had plenty of reasons to oppose it — from the graphic sex education, to the bizarre math that pushes activism instead of actual math, to the low standards in English and science. But one thing that hasn’t gotten enough attention? It quietly eliminated cursive handwriting from the classroom. The thinking was that cursive was outdated. Who needs handwriting when kids can type, right?

Well, Phyllis Schlafly saw through that. She called Common Core a violation of federal law, propaganda, and something you’d expect from a totalitarian government. She was right. The program was pushed onto states through federal bribes and waivers. Not because the states wanted it — but because they were told they had to accept it. Cursive got cut with barely any debate. But the research says that was a huge mistake. Cursive engages both sides of the brain, helping with memory, focus, and even motor skills. Kids who learn it early are less likely to reverse letters or struggle with writing.

And it’s not just about learning to write. It’s also about being able to read. Without cursive, students can’t understand founding documents like the Declaration of Independence, or even handwritten letters from their grandparents. As Joe Rogan put it — to future generations, cursive might look like hieroglyphics.

But now, cursive is making a comeback. As of 2025, 25 states require cursive instruction — including both red and blue states. Some start as early as first or second grade, and others continue through middle or even high school. It’s part of a growing realization that this skill still matters.

And here’s something unexpected: AI may be helping cursive make its return. With students cheating using tools like ChatGPT, colleges are bringing back handwritten exams using the old-school “blue books.” Professors are finding that cursive helps ensure students actually know the material — because they have to write it themselves.

We were told cursive didn’t matter anymore. But clearly, it still does. And now, schools are realizing it’s time to bring it back.

This post originally appeared at https://phyllisschlafly.com/family/common-core/cursive-making-a-comeback/