Do you think we should teach cursive writing in our schools?

[senior citizen]

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[manaboutown]

Of course we should, along with mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and Latin. Good luck on all that! We are dumbing down, down, down...

[senior citizen]

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[njbchbum]

how old are the people making the decisions which promote the dumbing down of our society - and how old are the people who raised them?

[pparks158]

Yes, we should teach cursive writing. What are the reasons for not teaching cursive writing? I bet it is because it is not "on the state test" or not a "core content standard."

[Schaumburger]

I also think cursive writing should be taught in schools, When I receive thank you notes and card from my nieces (22, 19 and 11), the notes and cards are handwritten, but they are not using cursive writing. I am glad to get their notes and cards just the same.

Will documents even require signatures 10 years from now? In the course of my job, I see a fair amount of employee's and applicant's signatures, and so many people's signatures are illegible (maybe to prevent forgery?). My signature has changed very little since I was a teenager, and it would probably be very easy for someone to forge my signature.

[senior citizen]

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[tainsley]

Yes! Also geography and SPELLING!

[NotGolfer]

I agree with you 100% and I would have used your same words......"dumbing down". My pet peeve.
So many countries around the world have higher expectations for their students than do we as a nation.

This is why it's very important for education to begin at home, with a love of books and learning in general.........my reward is seeing our daughter and her husband plus our son and his wife.....continuing on with instilling the love of books and learning in general with their own children.........

No one should feel a need to "dumb down".....if so, it's very sad.

Was at a recent conference where the speaker talked about the kids in China and Korea---how they are taught and study. Here, he made some comment regarding computer games---which our kids are more proficient in than achademia these days. Ask any of them a basic geography question or when the civil war was faught or any early American history question. MANY do not know the answers these days. Think (again) the questions on the street that Jay Leno asks.

[Buckeyephan]

I can only speak about what I saw happening in the district where I taught. Over the years, more things that should have been addressed in the home were added to the school day. This included such things as "character education," drug abuse prevention, anti-bullying and such. For each of these, something had to be taken from available time. The obsession with testing also removed such things as handwriting. We were told that if we had favorite topics or "units" we loved to teach that were not directly in the state curriculum and therefore not tested, we could no longer include them. We even had an Assistant Superintendent who issued an order that we were forbidden to teach math facts. They could only be addressed within the context of the particular math concept we were teaching. I know that I'm a dinosaur, but I mourn the loss of real teaching and learning. Education continually tries to find new ways to help children learn, but they expect this to happen within the school building. Until we fix family issues, little will improve. Officially stepping off of my soapbox.

[senior citizen]

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[jblum315]

I think it's necessary in the same sense that learning the multiplication table is necessary even tho calculators are everywhere. It is just one of those skills that everyone should have.

[senior citizen]

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[Heartnsoul]

yes agree with those who say we are dumbing down. Most importantly, I'd like to see HISTORY taught so children learn how many men and women died for this country so we could live free. Unfortunately, do you believe they are more concerned with clubs such as the gay-straight club. There was a meeting held at Tavares courthouse Monday night at 5 pm to protest all the sex they are trying to bring into the schools. Next it will be the condom club and already in NY you would be sick to know what they are teaching our children. Tell your kids to get involved in the schools and watch what they are trying to teach your grandchildren. It's frightening.

[manaboutown]

US SAT scores peaked in 1965. They have pretty much gone downhill ever since. A few years ago the powers that be recalibrated the test to bring the scores higher (for the sake of appearance?).

Test scores in many advanced countries far exceed ours yet our students "feel" they are ahead of those foreign students, a tragically false self confidence imprinted on their young minds by the self esteem movement. In these other countries the students realistically understand where they actually lie in terms of ability and accomplishment because they are not fed Lake Wobegon style pablum.

[billethkid]

if it is in fact practiced (not teaching) in over 40 states then it is obvious there is a very important group....a very large, statistically significant group....called parents....that DO NOT CARE!!!!

Each subsequent dummed down generation can only care less as well and the dumbing down will continue to cut across more and more of what most of us KNOW is essential education.

The status and stature of the future of our country is in serious decay which will have a more devasting affect on the future than the too much talked about climate change and greening of America.

The future "we the people" will be ever more dependent on a keyboard and government support.......and the dumbed down population will care less than the group called parents today.

I am glad I came through life in America when I did.....however each succeeding dumber downed than the last generation could care less about what it was the dinosars used to brag about!!!

btk

[DaleMN]

No reason to teach cursive writing unless it is part of a history course. It's archaic, seldom used and has about as much utility as a typewriter does today. :smiley:

[DaleMN]

Oh.....and, to the contrary, I believe our generation is far, far less sophisticated and knowledgeable than today's youth.
Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you. :(

[Mack184]

What greater threat to freedom and liberty is there than people who cannot read or write?

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Sure we should but who uses it anymore

[Cantwaittoarrive]

What greater threat to freedom and liberty is there than people who cannot read or write?

I agree if you can't read or write then you have to trust what the "media" or "government" tells you without thinking for yourself

[Villages PL]

I don't think cursing should be taught in school when it could easily be taught at home, assuming parents even want their kids cursing in the first place.

OMG, my kid is cursing! :22yikes:

[The Flash]

US SAT scores peaked in 1965. They have pretty much gone downhill ever since. A few years ago the powers that be recalibrated the test to bring the scores higher (for the sake of appearance?).

Test scores in many advanced countries far exceed ours yet our students "feel" they are ahead of those foreign students, a tragically false self confidence imprinted on their young minds by the self esteem movement. In these other countries the students realistically understand where they actually lie in terms of ability and accomplishment because they are not fed Lake Wobegon style pablum.

Don't think it is really fair to compare US scores to other countries. In the US we educate everyone (or attempt to) not just those on the path to college like in other countries.

[manaboutown]

Don't think it is really fair to compare US scores to other countries. In the US we educate everyone (or attempt to) not just those on the path to college like in other countries.

Not so, according to this report.

Academic Failure - International Test Scores - Poor TIMSS Results (http://4brevard.com/choice/international-test-scores.htm)

[BarryRX]

I believe we should teach cursive. In fact, we should have students learn to write with quills on papyrus. Just as long as we don't make them late for their buggy whip manufacturing class.

[Mack184]

To all those who are laughing at teaching kids to write and comparing it to buggy whips. Exactly WHAT happens when our internet system gets compromised by an enemy or when the electricity goes off for long periods of time and all those wonderful computerized gadgets won't work as happened during hurricane Sandy? What happens when their cell phones and calculators won't do the basic work for them??

Of course! They can just stamp their feet and grunt.

[BarryRX]

To all those who are laughing at teaching kids to write and comparing it to buggy whips. Exactly WHAT happens when our internet system gets compromised by an enemy or when the electricity goes off for long periods of time and all those wonderful computerized gadgets won't work as happened during hurricane Sandy? What happens when their cell phones and calculators won't do the basic work for them??

Of course! They can just stamp their feet and grunt.

No, they'll just have to print instead of writing in script. My comment was only about teaching cursive, a skill that is not used anymore. I agree with everyone else who said that kids should learn how to add and multiply without calculators, they should learn history and geography, etc.

[senior citizen]

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[TrudyM]

Printing so people can read it a definite yes. Cursive past learning to sign your name is very hard for little kids and time consuming to teach. My son when he was in Kindergarten and first grade would cry himself to sleep because he couldn’t control the pencil to do cursive writing. We spent hours practicing at home but it was just no use you couldn't read what he wrote for love or money. This is a kid who could at that age do math in his head and tested at a grade five levels in math and science and grade 3 in reading. Logical reasoning and how to research and find answers in this changing world is more important than memorizing facts in my opinion. Reading and Lit and critical thinking not fact memorizing to past some test. I may be more sensitive than most as I have dyslexia and was labeled as retarded because I couldn’t regurgitate facts. In a world in which both parents must work a longer school day and more money allocated to a well-rounded curriculum just makes economic sense.

[Shimpy]

No reason to teach cursive writing unless it is part of a history course. It's archaic, seldom used and has about as much utility as a typewriter does today. :smiley:

I agree. I was shocked about a year ago to learn it isn't being taught anymore. Then I was shocked to learn my son of 31 years with a masters deg. in computers hardly knows it.
Now that I think of it, why teach it? Let it die. It's hard to let go of things past but life goes on and we don't need it anymore.

[ajbrown]

I usually avoid these threads and simply enjoy reading other's comments, but I am sitting here :a20:.

I have this vision in my head that we lose the power grid for a period of time and there will be people hanging out in the streets saying “look at this letter I just got from my son, how shameful, it is (block) printed”.

I can only hope if such a time ever occurs we have educated enough folks in math and physics to get us out of such a mess….

Power grid and recursive :a20:

In no way should you read this and believe I do not think education is critical. The 3 R's are as important as they have always been and getting that right would be a step forward for a too large of a % of this nation.

[Sanbo]

I totally agree that cursive writing should be taught in schools. We are so dumbing down in the school system, also reading should be stressed more. I have a friend in NC who just recently went back to college and he said it is astounding how many students can not read, without stumbling over the words.

[kellyjam]

I think most students in America would think that cursive writing would mean a paragraph laced with vulgarities.

[The Flash]

I think the font on this forum should be changed to cursive for us that went to school before they "dumbed them down".

[manaboutown]

If today's students do not learn cursive writing how can they read historic documents such as the Declaration of Independence? What about old letters from their ancestors that are family memorabilia? I have a collection of love letters I received while dating several women. They mean a lot to me. They are ALL written in cursive. I cannot imagine they would bring up the same feelings in me if they were printed.

What a tragic loss!

[jbdlfan]

OK, for all of those discussing the "dumbing down", really?Schools are using 3D printers, building drones, growing hydroponic gardens! These are middle schools!!!!!! I'm sorry to tell some of you, the days of writing with a pen and paper are almost gone. We will be a 1:1 device educational system very soon. That means students will be carrying iPads or other tablets. They will take their text books with them everywhere. They will be wireless in every facet of their lives. In our classrooms, we let the students use their cell phones for research. In a world of instant access to information, they don't need people to deliver the information anymore. They are now being taught how to synthesize the information they find. I laugh at the idea that we are dumbing down the system when I see what kids can do with technology. The kids that some of you refer to as being part of the dumb generation; are not the ones locking themselves out of their online banking or can't use a smart phone without a tutorial. You have to face the fact that the world has and is changing quickly. I'm pretty sure none of you still dip your pens in ink or use an abacus.

[jblum315]

I do. I have a fountain pen that I love dearly. I still write thank you notes by hand.

[Cantwaittoarrive]

I do. I have a fountain pen that I love dearly. I still write thank you notes by hand.

I also write thank you notes by hand. I hear stories from others that their kids/ grandkids don't even say thank you for gifts much less write a note.

[DaleMN]

OK, for all of those discussing the "dumbing down", really?Schools are using 3D printers, building drones, growing hydroponic gardens! These are middle schools!!!!!! I'm sorry to tell some of you, the days of writing with a pen and paper are almost gone. We will be a 1:1 device educational system very soon. That means students will be carrying iPads or other tablets. They will take their text books with them everywhere. They will be wireless in every facet of their lives. In our classrooms, we let the students use their cell phones for research. In a world of instant access to information, they don't need people to deliver the information anymore. They are now being taught how to synthesize the information they find. I laugh at the idea that we are dumbing down the system when I see what kids can do with technology. The kids that some of you refer to as being part of the dumb generation; are not the ones locking themselves out of their online banking or can't use a smart phone without a tutorial. You have to face the fact that the world has and is changing quickly. I'm pretty sure none of you still dip your pens in ink or use an abacus.

:BigApplause:

[skyc6]

In the school where I taught, cursive was introduced in grade 3, and if they used it..fine; if they didn't fine. They didn't spend time on it because of too much other things to teach. Same with math facts. Computers and calculaters, and phones with calculaters and texting has changed communication. If I wrote out directions on the board in cursive, they could not read it at grade 7 and 8, so it has long been lost. Geography has been dropped, with the hope it will be included in History. It is sad, but it is the way of things!

[mitchbr47]

Let the parents teach their kids how to print and do cursive writing. I wonder if there is an App for that. It isn't on the FCAT so it isn't taught.

I totally agree with what you stated. Everyone teaching today sticks to the scripted curriculum. Everything is geared for measurement on a standardized test.

[Kirsten Lee]

Teach kids how to sign their names and forget the rest. My children were taught cursive in 3rd grade and never had to use it again. My son could keyboard 70 words a minute in 5th grade. He "types" better than I do. My kids all had to do power point presentations in 4th grade. My daughter age 21 scored a "32" on her ACT with a "34" in math and yet she struggled with multiplication facts in 2nd grade. I wasn't even taught multiplication facts until 4th grade. Education is always changing.

[The Flash]

Does anyone speak with any actual knowledge of the standards taught in our Florida schools or are you basing your knowledge of the educational system on the fact that you attended school once and probably 40 years ago? Until Florida fully implements the Common Core Standards, we still have in our own Florida Next Generstion Sinshine State Standards that cursive writing is introduced in second grade and taught beginning in the third grade. People should really educate themselves before they start "dumbing down" our educational system.

[PammyJ]

I have to chime in this conversation. Education is in a pendulum swing. Colleges in the US had data to back up that US students could not compete with the students who were studying in our colleges who were educated in other countries! Our students were really good at reciting facts, but could not think for themselves, problem solve, and were not college and career ready! 46 states have adopted the Common Core Standrds, and let me tell you, parents have difficulty with second grade math, because it forces students to know their facts inside and out and be able to identifybthem visually as well as explain why they get the answer they do.. Please don't say education is dumbing down, the intensity is increasing and teachers are having to totally change their strategies and educate themselves on how to teach this way. This is a change that is for the good, but hard to understand without a bit of educating ourselves. I am very proud of the way we are going for our future generation! I support teachers and anyone in this field. They work very hard and are continuing to learn themselves, what is best for our kids!

[The Flash]

I totally agree that cursive writing should be taught in schools. We are so dumbing down in the school system, also reading should be stressed more. I have a friend in NC who just recently went back to college and he said it is astounding how many students can not read, without stumbling over the words.

Could you please tell me why you believe reading is not stressed in schools besides the fact that a friend who went back college told you so?

[jbdlfan]

I have to chime in this conversation. Education is in a pendulum swing. Colleges in the US had data to back up that US students could not compete with the students who were studying in our colleges who were educated in other countries! Our students were really good at reciting facts, but could not think for themselves, problem solve, and were not college and career ready! 46 states have adopted the Common Core Standrds, and let me tell you, parents have difficulty with second grade math, because it forces students to know their facts inside and out and be able to identifybthem visually as well as explain why they get the answer they do.. Please don't say education is dumbing down, the intensity is increasing and teachers are having to totally change their strategies and educate themselves on how to teach this way. This is a change that is for the good, but hard to understand without a bit of educating ourselves. I am very proud of the way we are going for our future generation! I support teachers and anyone in this field. They work very hard and are continuing to learn themselves, what is best for our kids!

You are so very right. I went to the Common Core Symposium this last summer for the implementation here in Florida. When people see what is going to be on the new PARCC assessments, they will be shocked. This test will be more challenging than anything we have seen in the past. The expectations are very high and there will be serious growing pains at first. But, once the students that are now in K-2 make there way through high school, we will see tremendous results. My grandson in kindergarten had to know how to spell "veterinarian" last week! I'd say that's a little more important and impressive than cursive writing.....

[blueash]

This is English. Do you understand it? Can you read it? Could you write it?

The point is language changes. The way we write and spell changes. Some people might call it progress. Or more eloquently:

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.