Committee backs bill requiring cursive proficiency by fifth grade

Senator Tammy Nichols told the Senate Education Committee Senate Bill 1044 would reaffirm that cursive instruction begins by third grade and add a proficiency requirement by fifth grade, with resources and guidance provided by the State Department of Education.

Nichols said Idaho reinstated cursive instruction in 2016 but lacks a requirement that students reach proficiency. She cited cognitive and practical benefits — including signature verification and historical literacy — and shared letters and historical examples (including material from retired teacher and former Representative Linden Bateman) to illustrate the cultural value of legible cursive.

Senators asked whether the requirement is necessary in a digital age. Senator Cook said technology has reduced some uses for cursive but acknowledged the cultural value of handwriting; Nichols replied that research links handwriting to literacy, fine motor skills and cognitive benefits and that some parents and employers still value signatures. The committee then moved and seconded a motion to send the bill to the Senate floor with a due‑pass recommendation. The motion passed; the transcript records one nay during the voice vote.

Under the bill as presented in committee, districts would be asked to provide additional support and resources to ensure students achieve proficiency by fifth grade. Nichols said the proposal includes no statewide testing mechanism beyond the proficiency expectation and that the State Department of Education would provide resources and guidance to teachers.

The committee voted to send Senate Bill 1044 to the full Senate with a due pass recommendation.