BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — Cursive writing - it has been at the center of heated debate at schools for decades, but after years of trying to erase this skill - the writing is on the wall. Cursive is making a comeback, in fact Texas is the latest state to adopt it for students. 7 Eyewitness senior reporter Eileen Buckley visited two schools where they are learning cursive.
To cursive - or not to cursive - that is the question as newer generations lack handwriting skills in a digital age. At our lady of black rock school in buffalo - cursive is taught in the third grade. Naomi Roberts said the school’s library to demonstrate how she writes her name.
“I like how you get to write it and it's really like interesting,” remarked Roberts.
Our Lady of Black Rock Principal Martha Eadie calls it “an age-old tradition” and an important part of language-literacy.
“It’s that fluid flow. I think it helps students retain knowledge and retain information better,” Eadie remarks.
Our lady of black rock 8th grader Teresa Lyon said it’s important to learn.
“Because you have to sign your name and legal forms and checks,” Lyons noted.
Mary Beth Musial, third grade teacher, Our Lady of Black Rock said she worries it could be a lost art.
“A perfect example - my mother was at a store and she had to sign her credit card and the clerk said - you sign so beautiful and they didn't know cursive. They haven't been using cursive,” Musial explained.
But it appears to be making a classroom come as more and more states are requiring cursive.
The New York State Education Department said it remains a "local decision" whether to include cursive in a district's curriculum.
At Dodge Elementary School in the Williamsville school district. They're also teaching cursive to third graders.
Megan Schaab said it allows her to read birthday cards from grandparents and aunts and uncles.
“I like that I can read my sister's handwriting and read cards,” Schabb said.
3rd grade Dodge Elementary teacher Diane Meyers says students need the skill to be able to read historic documents.
“They love to do cursive. We've even noticed that some of our students who have some motor delays- sometimes even do better with cursive then manuscript because they are able to keep their pencils down and don't have to life their pencil,” Meyers remarked.
