No, I don't think these days it is necessary. I'd rather my child learn how to communicate effectively using the means he/she would in everyday life-which now seems to be via computers (emails, texting etc). I'd rather my child learn these skills early, than waste time with learning cursive, obviously the child will learn to write, but I don't think making their writing look like a wedding invitation matters much in today's society ;)

Definitely should learn how to write legibly and with good grammar and punctuation.

Cursive is a must.

I have nice handwriting and I thank the nuns for that. Not that hard to do...just spend a semester practicing like you practice your skills in other areas.

Its my honest belief that anyone who attended a Catholic school writes with a legible hand and a good understanding of the language. As with other "advancements" we will always need to return to the written word when all else fails, and it unually does.

The words, the meaning behind those words... these things matter. The vehicle is inconsequential. Let's spend our time and effort teaching our children to communicate effectively... yes, without emoticons and text-speak.

We were just discussing this topic at work. There are still employers that require a short hand written (cursive) paragraph to measure the ability of the applicant to communicate via the pen. I have first hand knowledge that cursive is not in the forefront of today's communication! Although reports are computerized, many still require a hand written or printed effort. I believe my knuckles are still sore from the catholic way of learning cursive! Don't let this artform go the way of the typewriter.

I think there is something to be said about the care and discipline it takes to learn cursive, but the cold fact is that one's signature is not going to be the seal on futuristic documents. Add to that the fact that so much is going to be going to electronic format only, and yes, cursive writing really does take a back seat to IT knowledge today.

What a strange coincidence - my granddaughter, no more than a half an hour ago, brought a piece of paper to me and asked me to show her what her name looks like in cursive. She has been sitting at the kitchen table practicing it.

I think about the beautiful hand-written documents that have been preserved from the early years of this country. They certainly wouldn't have the same effect if they were framed computer printed copies.

It seems as though this generation looks for the easiest shortcut through anything and everything. Where is the desire to get ahead of others, to gather as many skills as possible? I will bet this is only considered here in America, where falling behind other nations has become acceptable.

I, personally, would feel very handicapped if I did not know how to write properly. And as P Roberts mentions, how would these people feel if/when a time comes that we cannot rely on computers and they have no idea how to put pen to paper?

Just the idea of no longer teaching cursive in schools sounds preposterous.

Not knowing how to write cursive also means not knowing how to read it. Imagine a future generation finding old letters in their parents or grandparents belongings and not being able to read them. Cursive can't be allowed to die. Also, don't confuse cursive with calligraphy.

OMG! Ur totes crazed to think kids shud take pen to paper! LOL. IDK anyone who even buys paper and pens anymore! All they need is a 4g iPhone with a buttload of apps and they can text their BFFs, cre8 research papers, and keep touchtabs on their 1000 FaceyFrenz.:) ;) ;P

I just scared myself. As much as I think we need to embrace technology, we need to remember to keep our humanity. Cursive and printing, while not as universally used as in years past, is one small part of that humanity and should definitely still be a part of the curriculum.

P, I'm thinking in terms of iris recognition, or the thumb prints that some banks now demand. At the credit union I belong to, we have to sign an electronic pad for withdrawals, but a teller told me once that the thumb-/fingerprint technology is built into that particular device. Everything has gone so electronic so quickly in just the last 5 years or so, I figure it will continue to head that way. Then again, maybe there will be a backlash and the pendulum will swing the other way.

In my completely honest opinion the possibily eliminating cursive from grammar school infuriates me. How will one sign their name? On checks (people still use them and will for a long time)? Or sign a note or release form? Or how about when they are older for a mortgage document? Or will we just use thumb-printing? Gee, let's get rid of learning math. Why do we need it? We have calculators. Right? NO! Granted, I grew up in the 70's and 80's so I know how to write in cursive and when I am in a hurry writing something down will revert to cursive. This is a form that is STILL and WILL and should always be needed despite our technology age. It's just a complete shame.

Having worked in law enforcement, I would feel as though I were being arrested rather than just saying hi if I had to be printed, scanned, and told to stand against a wall.(kidding) What comes to mind is the most recent Chase cards, called Slate,that you just need to wave in the general direction of the scanner, with no need to sign the paper form. I would much prefer someone to say "Hi, is this your full purchase? And have a nice day.....To each his own I guess.

I'm intrigued with the commenter who called it an "art form" -- worth thinking about. But what seems important to me is that this is yet another kind of generation gap. I both compose and communicate via e-mail/computer , have so far resisted other social media, but think that the children in school today should still ought to be able to read and write in a way that connects them to older generations -- living and dead. Just as learning two or more languages makes you smarter, maybe the same can be said for handwriting and typing. Hmmm?

Its pretty sad - I have come across a new "issue" because of this fading away in our schools - these "kids" do not even know how to sign their names when asked for a signature - they print their names.

After reading everyone’s response I think I'm now stuck in between...I'm 30 and so I sort of straddle both worlds- I grew up learning cursive (but mine is terrible, started as a lefty then forced to be a righty) then in Jr. High on it was all computers all the time. I think it's important to learn how to write, but technology just keeps on growing every day. I guess my question is, if they take cursive out of the curriculum, what would replace that time slot?

P, you're right I think. I am not in favor of elminating the writing lessons, just saying that cursive is getting more irrelevant in today's world. I also would not want to be scanned at various places of business either.

It's sad that learning to write is considered old fashioned. We have a generation that can't do simple math because cash registers tell them how much change to give a customer. Now we have kids that can't put a proper sentence together. Everything is abbreviated as CJM nicely pointed out. I'm from the old school. Teach them to write correctly and legibly. But then again, I believe everyone should be taught how to drive a manual transmission too. Technology is a wonderful thing, but it doesn't mean we have to eliminate everything prior to the latest "version"

The best argument I have heard is being able to READ cursive. Some basic cursive can be taught, which is fine, but I think the emphasis on it should no longer be there. Work on more language skills, less on the mechanics.

Learning to write cursive has nothing to do with learning to write (as in put thoughts down on paper, whether typing or handwriting) and for some, as it was for me, writing became much easier when I didn't have to worry as much about the mechanics of penmanship.

As for signing one's name, that can easily be taught - besides, most adults signatures I have seen look like chicken scratch!

What I really wish they would do away with is the horrible d'nealian they are teaching instead of block print. They do this, supposedly, to ease the transition to cursive, but meanwhile their print - which they will undoubtedly need more often for forms, etc. - is basically unreadable to those who have not be taught d'nealian!

My cursive is embarrassing... I type as much as I possible can and if it needs to be legible I print it.

Take away the ability to write, read a map and understand people deeper than 140 characters, blur constitutional freedoms, morals and values that keep our spirits soaring high and filled with empowerment then pull the plug and take over.....being extreme but making a point we never know where life will take us and strategic survival skills are not something we want to loose...EVER!