Posted by KarenVentura on 6/27/13 3:37pm
Msg #474887

Cursive is no longer taught in schools

Just found this out!

Reply by desktopfull on 6/27/13 3:40pm
Msg #474889

My son had to teach both of his children to write and read cursive. The school told him back in 1998 that they didn't teach cursive writing anymore. I've had several borrower's that can only print their name when they sign their mortgage docs.

Reply by VT_Syrup on 6/27/13 3:45pm
Msg #474890

Cursive as we understand it is only around 130 years old or so. Certainly it is much younger than signing documents. So I see nothing wrong with someone not knowing how to, or choosing not to, signing a document in some style other than cursive.

Reply by jba/fl on 6/27/13 6:35pm
Msg #474916

Disagree - cursive has been around longer - why, our country is older than 130 and take a look at the old documents with all their flowery handwriting and signatures.

There are countries who have never used it...many of the islands off FL don't teach it. Others too. Soon people won't type - all voice recognition devices with eliminate the need to type with opposable thumbs, which is all many know.

Reply by VT_Syrup on 6/27/13 9:03pm
Msg #474946

What I meant by "cursive as we know it" is the cursive that was taught in most American schools during the 20th century. Certainly there were other versions of cursive in America in the 19th century, but a person educated in the 20th century would have some trouble reading the earlier cursives. A 20th century person would require a great deal of practice to write one of the several 19th century cursives.

Reply by jba/fl on 6/28/13 9:32am
Msg #474990

ok n/m

Reply by ajd/pa on 6/27/13 4:07pm
Msg #474893

Actually, depends of the school district. My kid's school does teach cursive, starting in 4th grade. It has been a great help for us, as my daughter would rather write in cursive then print. Also helps since her printing is as bad as her moms and we can read her cursive better.

Reply by Linda Juenger on 6/27/13 4:15pm
Msg #474895

Our schools still teach it also. My 9yr old grandson is getting quite good at it. I'm glad he's being taught it.

Reply by bagger on 6/28/13 7:55am
Msg #474982

That is quickly changing in Ill.

http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/education/cursive-thing-of-the-past-at-many-illinois-schools/article_10a286ae-bbed-11e0-a71e-001cc4c03286.html

Reply by FlaNotary2 on 6/27/13 8:11pm
Msg #474923

It's very unfortunate

I am a product of the public school system in Florida - in 2nd grade we started learning cursive. In 3rd grade it was part of our daily schedule. By 4th grade all assignments had to be submitted in cursive.

My sister is in 3rd grade. FCAT takes up so much of the available curriculum time that there simply isn't enough time in the day to learn it. My sisters teacher made the decision to spend the last few weeks of school after FCAT teaching cursive. Needless to say, while these few weeks provided an intro to cursive, my sisters cursive is hardly excellent. I doubt she will be learning cursive next year in 4th grade.

I write almost exclusively in cursive. I only print in my notary journal and certificates and if a form specifically asks me to print. It is so sad that our school system thing standardized testing is more important then the basic skill of penmanship.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 6/27/13 8:39pm
Msg #474933

Re: It's very unfortunate

I have very mixed feelings about that. While I have neat printing, my cursive writing was always mediocre and I hated it. In fact, I always got my worst marks in penmanship. I was very relieved when I graduated to Junior High and found out that we wouldn't be graded on that anymore because I was worried about what it would do to my GPA.

I think cursive should be available to kids as an "elective" subject, but with modern technology taking over so much of our lives, I'm with those who believe that it's probably no longer worth the amount of time it takes in a curriculum when there is so much else to teach. I DO agree, though, that it's a shame that so much time is taken up with testing - and teaching to the test. I believe the most important thing kids need to learn is how to process information effectively, how to think critically, and good communication skills - probably the skill that is most neglected these days. Cursive writing used to be an essential component of communication skills but that's clearly no longer the case.

Reply by JerryhFL on 6/27/13 8:45pm
Msg #474940

Re: It's very unfortunate

If they are not taught to write in cursive can they read a cursive document. Just curious!

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 6/27/13 8:51pm
Msg #474943

Re: It's very unfortunate..interesting you ask this Jerry

The George Zimmerman trial - the prosecution's star witness was given a document by the defense counsel and was asked to read the document - she couldn't read it - she had to admit in open court she cannot read cursive.

Reply by jba/fl on 6/27/13 8:57pm
Msg #474945

Re: It's very unfortunate..interesting you ask this Jerry

wow.

Reply by Notarysigner on 6/28/13 10:20am
Msg #474996

Re: It's very unfortunate..interesting you ask this Jerry

40% of the signings I do are for foreign born borrowers. With the exception of those working in the computer industry and financial world, most are not taught cursive in their home countries. When I ask them to "sign" their I will know if they are going to print it or not because it will be printed on the DL.

As JanetK posted about her penmanship, so is mine. I actually think I DRAW my name.

Reply by Bear900/CA on 6/27/13 9:33pm
Msg #474953

Wish I could read gangland language! Do they teach tagging? n/m