In an increasingly technological world, many educators are conflicted when it comes to teaching cursive writing. This is especially true of instructors in states that have adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), as cursive instruction is not required under them.
Kansas is among the states that have embraced the CCSS. Based on the results of a recently released Kansas State Department of Education survey, 90 percent of school districts are still teaching cursive at the elementary level, the Lawrence Journal-World reported. However, findings also revealed that interest in handwriting skills among school officials is also waning.
Based on the survey results, almost 23 percent of Kansas school districts do not view handwriting instruction to be a high priority. Furthermore, 6 percent of respondents expect to devote less class time to cursive writing in the future.
While some educators still see the value in handwriting skills, there are those who understand there are more urgent priorities right now. David A. Smith, the chief of staff for the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, is among them.
"We focused our teaching and learning on the essential skills kids need to know and be able to do," Smith told The Kansas City Star. "And that's a good thing. We should be teaching what kids need."
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