Committee backs bill to require cursive instruction for grades 2–5

Representative Trabulsi presented HB 127 (carried by Representative Overdorf), saying the bill would add cursive writing to the state‑required instruction for students in grades 2 through 5 and define proficiency as the ability to write upper‑ and lower‑case letters in cursive, form words and sentences legibly, and read cursive in support of literacy development. The sponsor argued cursive connects students to history and supports handwriting skills used in some in‑person testing and signing documents.

During questioning, members asked whether proficiency would be specified at different grades and whether failure to demonstrate proficiency would affect grade advancement; the sponsor said proficiency expectations would scale by grade and that failing to demonstrate cursive proficiency would not result in retention. The sponsor also confirmed that cursive instruction would be incorporated into state standards that apply to public and charter schools.

Members generally supported the bill and highlighted practical benefits such as the ability to sign legal documents. After debate and a closing by the sponsor, the clerk called the roll and recorded 17 yeas, 0 nays; the bill was reported favorably by the committee.