California and cursive writing
In an age of smartphones and TikTok, students in California are now required to learn an old-school skill — joined-up writing.
Cursive writing was largely abandoned in America after 2010 when many states adopted learning standards introduced by the Obama White House. In an era when children do most of their work digitally, its popularity declined.
However, California has now become one of 23 states that require cursive handwriting to be taught, with supporters saying it helps a child’s development and is important for reading historical documents, such as the US Declaration of Independence.
Learning joined-up writing is now obligatory for students aged six to 12 after Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, signed a bill that took effect this month.
