Overview
- Gov. Josh Shapiro signed House Bill 17 on Feb. 11, requiring public schools to teach cursive or joined italics at appropriate grade levels.
- The measure was sponsored by Rep. Dane Watro and drew support from 15 Republicans and three Democrats.
- Pennsylvania joins roughly 24 states that already require cursive instruction after a decade of renewed emphasis on handwriting.
- Supporters cite research linking cursive to executive function, fine motor development, working memory, and the ability to read founding documents.
- Proponents also point to real-world needs such as signing legal and financial documents, while former Education Secretary Khalid Mumin urges local discretion as districts plan implementation.