COLUMBIA, S.C. — If you are over the age of thirty, chances are you were taught cursive writing in school
And since 2008 handwriting has not been required learning in South Carolina classrooms.
Looking to bring the skill back into public schools is state representative Michael Rivers (D) who prefilled a bill that would mandate 2nd through 5th grade public school children to learn and write in cursive.
"Now cursive writing is like foreign," Rivers said during a Zoom interview, "Its critically important for us to make sure young people have that opportunity to legitimize and authenticate their personality through a signature."
But some, like middle school teacher Pam Light, questions if it's still a necessary skill.
"I think it may have been a skill that was necessary. I'm not sure if it will be in the next generation but I do see the value in it for myself but, as there are so many things that have to be taught in the classroom, I don't know if its the top one. But I'm glad my kids have learned it and I would want kids to learn it, " she said.
Now with the ability to e-sign with technology, Light continued, "I recently sold a house. I didn't have to sign anything in cursive, everything I did was digital. So if you can sell a house without ever doing that it seems it's not that important as it used to be."
And while Rivers understands technology has impacted whether or not the penmanship is taught, he believes there are still reasons why cursive should be incorporated into the early grade level curriculum.
"From the legal standpoint I understand technology and things being more relaxed and socially oriented. but adults usually deal in a legal world and therefore there will be documents and authenticity that comes from cursive handwriting that I think is a good benefit," Rivers said.
It was referred to the Committee of Education and Public Works, and will be discussed when the session resumes in January.