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William Penn SD to model cursive instruction after state law restores cursive
Summary
After Pennsylvania’s Act Two of 2026 restored cursive instruction, the William Penn School District plans to begin modeling cursive across elementary grades, starting with classroom objectives and small-group practice; formal statewide timing was updated to September 2026.
Miss Tokley, the district staff member leading cursive and handwriting efforts, told the Education Committee on March 11 that Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Act Two of 2026 “restoring cursive writing back to Pennsylvania's curriculum.” The district has updated its K–6 ELA framework and began communicating the change to school leaders and families.
Tokley said the district will introduce cursive instruction progressively, with modeling beginning when students return from spring break and a formal statewide start now set for September 2026. "We're going to start at the beginning," she said, describing instruction that will teach correct formations, slant and spacing so students "actually understand how to make those letters work." She added that teachers across subjects — not only ELA — will model cursive (for example, by writing dates and objectives in cursive) and that small-group practice and homework can reinforce skills.
Committee members asked how the rollout would work across grades. Tokley said the district will start foundational work in all elementary grades, noting that older students who begin later "will pick up a little bit faster" than younger students who start in second grade. Regarding classroom logistics in a Chromebook-forward environment, Tokley said digital resources can supplement instruction but that early implementation will emphasize teacher modeling rather than dedicated whole-group cursive lessons.
No formal board action was recorded at the meeting. The Education Committee discussion closed with staff saying they will continue leader and teacher communications and prepare a full implementation plan for the coming school year.
