When the Common Core State Standards were adopted in 2010, handwriting was omitted from the curriculum. Now, though, it’s making a comeback in many states, as its benefits are being more widely recognized.
Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey, for example, signed legislation into law on January 20, 2026, that requires handwriting to be explicitly taught starting in the third grade.
While cursive handwriting had been removed from the state curriculum, the Lawrence Township school district in central New Jersey continued to teach it, according to school district officials.
Robyn Klim, the superintendent of schools, indicates the reason is that “Handwriting supports important aspects of child development, including fine motor skills, brain development and cognitive processing.”[1]
Cursive handwriting is introduced in the third grade, at which point students receive a handwriting workbook used throughout the year for direct instruction and practice.
Instruction continues in the fourth and fifth grades at the Lawrence Intermediate School, where students are required to complete some work in cursive each week. In addition, handwriting is formally assessed, and an indicator of that assessment is included on report cards.
State Sen. Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer/Hunterdon) says, “Studies show again and again that writing by hand enhances learning by improving reading, comprehension, memory, fine motor and critical thinking skills.”
New Jersey is not the only state to return to cursive instruction. Many other states are following suit, recognizing the valuable skills students learn with its instruction.
Citation:
Kahn, Lea. (January 28, 2026). “Handwriting supports important aspects of child development.” centraljersey.com. Retrieved from
https://www.centraljersey.com/2026/01/28/handwriting-supports-important-aspects-of-child-development/.
