Kudos to Massachusetts...

...and other states that are not so quick to dismiss cursive handwriting...states that actually plan to keep it around as a core standard!

With nearly all 50 states having adopted the Common Core State Standards,   I was happy to note that the State of Massachusetts actually added in their own standard for retaining instruction in basic cursive, considering it to be a foundation skill. 

From an August 14 article by Brian Benson in the MetroWest Daily News:

The Common Core State Standards, a series of curriculum guidelines adopted by 44 states, do not address handwriting. When Massachusetts adopted the Common Core last year, it amended them to ensure that fourth-graders can "write legibly by hand, using either printing or cursive handwriting," according to the state's curriculum.

School leaders said cursive writing is easier for many students than printing, improves the neatness of handwriting and is needed for writing checks and signing legal documents.

The article indicates that while schools in Massachusetts acknowledge it is challenging to teach handwriting with limited resources, they still feel it is important to retain as part of the curriculum.

Hmm... perhaps I should introduce them to PointScribe to actually lighten their load, save money, and, oh yeah:  teach handwriting!