Cursive writing in Rhode Island

Cursive handwriting instruction continues to be a subject of great controversy across the nation and in Rhode Island school districts. Rhode Island has adopted the Common Core Standards which appears to focus on proficiency in the actual writing process more than the method that the student utilizes when writing. The focus in the common core standards for the upper elementary grades is keyboarding. Technology is taking a front seat in education and keyboarding fits with that. The Providence Journal reported that cursive is making quite a comeback in Sowams school in Barrington. Barrington is using a program called "Handwriting Without Tears". This program utilizes a hands-on approach to teach cursive writing. Some tools utilized are play-doh, sand and shaving cream. This is not the cursive parents may recall of their childhood. ursive instruction remains a hot topic among educators, parents and administrators. While it is a means to write, to many it is much more than that. In the past few years occupational therapists have been telling parents of children that struggle with handwriting, they only need to sign their name and read it. Some educators state that it is much more than just a way to write, it helps with fluency and ties into reading skills. Cursive handwriting has become such an important issue that there is an educational summit scheduled in Washington, D.C. for January 2012. The summit is entitled "Handwriting in the 21st Century?" Educators and University researchers from across the nation will gather for this summit. Zaner-Bloser in partnership with the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) will host this all-day summit. While there continues to be controversy regarding cursive writing instruction, many Rhode Island school districts continue to teach this skill in 3rd grade. They designate approximately 30 minutes per week for cursive instruction. As education reform continues to be in the forefront, teaching cursive may have to take a backseat to math or reading instruction.