Story perspectives

Pennsylvania Mandates Cursive Handwriting in Schools Starting April

3/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Beginning April 12, Pennsylvania public and private schools must reintroduce cursive handwriting.
Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania signed the measure, which passed the House 195-8 and the Senate 42-5 with bipartisan support.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education will provide guidance on implementation and curriculum this spring.
Neuroscience suggests handwriting may aid learning and memory, but most studies cover handwriting in general, not cursive.

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Story summary

Beginning April 12, Pennsylvania public and private schools must reintroduce cursive handwriting.
Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania signed the measure, which passed the House 195-8 and the Senate 42-5 with bipartisan support.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education will provide guidance on implementation and curriculum this spring.
Neuroscience suggests handwriting may aid learning and memory, but most studies cover handwriting in general, not cursive.