The Truth Behind Why Maine Schools No Longer Teach Cursive

Okay, so recently I was helping my son, Bentley with his homework and he asked me how to write in cursive. I have known for some time that schools are no longer mandated to teach cursive, according to Maine.gov, but it still flabbergasted me.

As I wrote a paragraph in cursive in front of him, his eyes were glued to my fingers as I was writing like a moth to a flame. It was almost magical the way the cursive made him feel.

So, if you've ever wondered why the kiddos today don't seem to know how to write in cursive, you're not alone. It has become a real debate within the last few years in Maine school, honestly, to me, it's baffling.

The truth behind no longer teaching cursive in Maine

Why? Well, as per reddit, the real reason is because of the digital age we now live in. Schools are prioritizing digital learning like "keyboarding" over old-fashioned penmanship.

I get it, because most of us are typing away on our phones an laptops more than we put a pen to paper. So, why waste the time on loopy curls when kids know how to type so fast?

Here's the thing though, cursive isn't just about magical handwriting because get this, according to NEA, studies show that if you learn how to write in cursive, it can help with you fine motor skills, memory, and reading comprehension.

It's the Great Cursive Debate

That's what the folks at NEA are calling it nowadays.

I think there's something so personal about writing in cursive.

In Maine, current legislation it is not mandated to teach cursive. The Maine Department of Education doesn’t require schools to teach cursive, leaving it up to individual districts to decide if they want to.

That means some schools offer it, while others don’t, based on their own priorities.
All in all, for many of us, cursive shouldn’t be a lost art. Hopefully, future legislation will mandate that Maine elementary schools teach it, keeping the tradition alive.