This bill mandates that public schools in New Jersey provide instruction on cursive handwriting for students in grades kindergarten through five. Specifically, it requires boards of education to implement age-appropriate learning activities and resources that ensure students can read cursive documents and write in cursive by the end of third grade. The bill emphasizes the cognitive benefits of learning cursive, noting that it engages multiple parts of the brain and is essential for understanding historical documents written in cursive, such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

The act is set to take effect immediately and will apply to the first full school year following its enactment. By incorporating cursive instruction into the curriculum, the bill aims to equip students with the necessary skills to read and write in cursive, thereby preserving an important aspect of written communication and enhancing cognitive development.