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Committee sends cursive‑proficiency bill to the floor after brief debate; one senator recorded a nay
Summary
Senate Bill 10 44, carried by Senator Tammy Nichols, would require cursive instruction beginning by third grade with proficiency by fifth grade and supports resources from the Idaho Department of Education; the Senate Education Committee recommended the bill to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation and recorded one nay.
Senate Bill 10 44, presented to the Senate Education Committee by Senator Tammy Nichols on Feb. 11, would reaffirm that cursive instruction begins by third grade and add a requirement that students demonstrate proficiency by fifth grade. The bill also directs the Idaho State Department of Education to provide resources and guidance to teachers.
Nichols framed the bill as an accountability measure to ensure an existing requirement is implemented consistently across districts. She said Idaho reinstated cursive instruction in 2016 but that “there is no requirement ensuring students become proficient.” Nichols read a letter from former Representative Linden Bateman describing efforts to reintroduce cursive and argued that mastery has cognitive and practical benefits — from literacy and fine motor skills to signature verification and historical literacy.
Committee members questioned whether cursive proficiency should be mandatory statewide and whether modern classrooms should prioritize other skills. Senator Cook, speaking in opposition, said that education priorities evolve and that technology and translation tools reduce the need to require cursive proficiency for all students. Nichols responded the bill is intended to secure an existing standard with supports for teachers and additional help for students who need it.
Senator Woodward moved to send the bill to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation; the motion passed. The record shows that one senator voted “nay” during the voice/recorded tally and declined to be recorded on the affirmative side; the committee chair announced the motion carried.
Why it matters
Supporters said cursive proficiency supports literacy, fine motor development, and access to historical documents. Opponents questioned whether the requirement is the best use of classroom time and whether the state should mandate proficiency rather than leave emphasis to local districts and teachers.
Speakers
Senator Tammy Nichols (sponsor); Linden Bateman (retired teacher and former legislator, referenced); Senators Cook, Ward Engelking, and others who debated the bill.
Authorities cited
Idaho content standards for handwriting and references to work by the National Archives on reading cursive documents.
