Cursive writing returns to Florida classrooms next week; students must master it by 5th grade

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WINK)— This school year, elementary school students in Florida will be required to learn cursive writing under new state education standards.

The law outlines specific requirements for students in grades 3 through 5. Students must study cursive writing and develop skills for legible handwriting, including letter formation, proper spacing and alignment, and practice writing complete words and sentences in cursive. 

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By the end of fifth grade, each student must demonstrate proficiency in cursive writing. Proficiency means students can write uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet in cursive.

Students must also write words and sentences in cursive legibly while maintaining proper spacing and alignment. They must be able to read and apply cursive writing in a manner that supports literacy development, including writing essays and assignments in cursive in accordance with state academic standards.

The requirements represent a formal return to cursive instruction in Florida classrooms after many schools had moved away from teaching the traditional handwriting style in recent years.

Lee and Collier County School already have cursive in their curriculum.