Kris ShawLanguage Arts and Literacy Consultant

kshaw@ksde.org

The Kansas State Board of Education believes that cursive handwriting as a student skill still holds an important place in the instructional practice of every school’s curriculum and can be integrated in multiple content areas.  Research supports the role that handwriting instruction plays in the cognitive development of children, and this activity is even more important in an increasingly digital environment.  The Board strongly encourages educators to ensure that all students can write legibly in cursive or joined italics and comprehend text written in this manner.

The Handwriting Debate Policy Updatelooks at handwriting in schools today;examines the pros and cons of the debate, particularly in light of research;reviews some key policy considerations around handwriting;provides examples of state actions in this area; andincludes resources for more information.http://www.nasbe.org/latestnews/handwriting-debate/

Six questions on the teaching of cursive handwriting

Sent to all 286 school districts Web-based format Fairly short turnaround 184 responses Multiple types of response Lessons and Interpretations

Is cursive handwriting taught in your district?90%- yes, 10%- no

At what grade levels is cursive handwriting taught? 123 of 166 at 3rd grade

How much time is spent on cursive handwriting instruction at each grade level?30-45 responses- 8.4 min. 5-15 responses- 34.9 min.

Do you use a commercial curriculum? If so, what do you use? Most used a local or no curriculum

Do you consider cursive handwriting to be important?74.1- yes, 22.6- no, 3.3- other

What are your long terms for cursive handwriting instruction in your school/district?

94.14% Indicated continuing support or no plans to change policy

◦ Remember some don’t currently teach cursive◦ Many answers deferred to policy makers

5.86% Indicated a planned or probable decrease in time spent on cursive

Central Comprehensive Center (C3) at the University of Oklahoma

Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO)

Dorothy Strickland, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Professor of Education at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

Kansas teachers- elementary, middle, HS, reading specialists, CTE, literacy coaches

Kansas Universities

KSDE members- Standards and Assessment, Early Childhood, Special Education, and English Language Learner Consultants

We are in the first stages of planning

KSDE SurveyBoard of Education RecommendationContacted expertsForming a standards committeeResearch and collect example standards