MADISON — MADISON, Wis. (AP) — All Wisconsin elementary schools would be required to teach cursive writing under a bill up passed Tuesday by the state Assembly.
The bill’s sponsors, including former teacher state Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt, say teaching cursive will stimulate different parts of the brain and improve the education of students.
Opponents, including groups that represent school boards, superintendents and administrators, say it could be a costly mandate and time would be better spent teaching more modern forms of communication.
The Republican-backed bill would have to pass both chambers again this session, and be signed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, in order to become law.
Wisconsin Assembly approves bill requiring civics education
Also Tuesday -- a statewide civics curriculum would be created that all Wisconsin public and private schools would have to follow under a Republican-authored bill passed by the state Assembly.
The measure approved Tuesday would also require all public school students to take at least a half credit in civics education in order to graduate. Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos introduced the measure, saying the country faces a “civics education crisis.”
Groups representing private schools, including those in Wisconsin’s voucher program, oppose having the requirement to teach civics placed on them. The Wisconsin Association of School Boards says nearly all school districts are already providing civics education.
