Cursive makes a comeback in U.S. schools

Cursive instruction in U.S. schools has come full circle. Once a daily staple, with up to 45 minutes a day in the early 20th century, it was squeezed out by overcrowded curricula and the rise of keyboards. The Common Core standards, adopted by 45 states between 2009 and 2014, cemented typing's priority.

The backlash began in 2013 when North Carolina passed the first cursive law. Now, more than 25 states require it. But the science is mixed. While handwriting beats typing for learning and memory, it's less clear cursive has an edge over print. Many teachers never learned cursive, and the time cost is significant.

The push reflects a broader debate about skills worth preserving. As one California lawmaker suggested, cursive might even be a tool against AI cheating in schools.