I’m told that children in Illinois are required only to be able to write their own name. I assume that this is because even such things as note-taking in class will be done by keyboard, probably on a smart phone. I can’t imagine keying one of those tiny keyboards fast enough to keep up. However, there have been so many changes in the last hundred years that it is not altogether surprising that the practical necessity for handwriting is no longer required if things can be done another way. Will everyone else fall in line with Illinois and will education be damaged by the inability to write?
It will be sad if cursive handwriting disappears from the everyday world and it remains only as a hobby. I think it’s wonderful that we can form letters at high speed and remain legible. How will this pan out? Watch this space!
Thanks to Hans Gilliams.
Goodwriterspens's Blog 
I was at a doctor’s office recently. I asked what they do with the print your name sign your name portion of the authorizations since cursive is no longer taught in schools. “We have them print their name twice” the receptionist told me. Aye, yae, yae.
At least they can print!
I feel society is doing the young people a disservice. I do a lot of research (for fun) requiring me to read hand written manuscripts dating to the 16,17 and 1800’s. I feel we are raising a generation of functional illiterates.
I couldn’t agree more. My husband studied Renaissance and Reformation history at university and all the primary sources were handwritten. That wasn’t yesterday and it may be that some of that stuff has been transcribed but it is unlikely that history students can get away from the need to read various hands.
I’m 83 years old and I remember in high school in the fifties when everybody switched over to ballpoint pens I refused got a little bit of trouble but I would not use a ballpoint pen and I still use a fountain pen and don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have one I’d probably just right with a piece of charcoal
Hello Roderick,
Good for you for resisting the ballpoint!