This bill mandates that school districts in New Jersey include instruction on cursive handwriting in the elementary school curriculum. Specifically, it requires that students become proficient in reading and writing cursive legibly by the end of the third grade. The curriculum must consist of activities and instructional materials designed to achieve this proficiency.
The bill emphasizes the potential cognitive, motor, and literacy benefits of learning cursive handwriting, noting that such instruction may lead to improved academic outcomes, particularly for students with learning disabilities like dyslexia. The act is set to take effect immediately and will apply to the first full school year following its enactment.