Bill > HB1876

This bill requires school districts and charter schools in Missouri to provide cursive writing instruction in elementary schools, with specific requirements that students learn to create readable cursive documents by the end of fifth grade and pass a teacher-constructed test demonstrating proficiency in both reading and writing cursive. The legislation allows the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop rules for implementing these requirements, with the caveat that any such rules must comply with existing state administrative rulemaking procedures. The bill aims to ensure that students maintain handwriting skills traditionally taught in schools, which have become less common with increased use of digital technology. By mandating cursive instruction and testing, the bill seeks to preserve a form of written communication that some argue helps develop fine motor skills, aids cognitive development, and remains important for reading historical documents and personal signatures.

Education

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1876&year=2026&code=R