Signed by Governor Brad Little

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires students to be good at both reading and writing in cursive by the end of the 5th grade in Idaho.

Highlights:

• Specifies that this act is meant to ensure Idaho student proficiency in cursive writing (Sec. 1).

• Requires Idaho public schools to require proficiency in cursive handwriting by the end of the 5th grade level (Sec. 2).

• Requires the state board of education to require cursive handwriting instruction for students, beginning in the 3rd grade level (Sec. 2).

• Requires the state board of education to establish the following requirements (Sec. 2):

• Benchmarks for cursive handwriting proficiency; 

• Guidelines and examples for assessing student progress; and

• Resources to assist teachers in providing effective cursive handwriting instruction. 

• Requires all Idaho public schools to be in compliance with the provisions of this bill by the start of the 2025-2026 academic year (Sec. 2).

• Requires students who fail to show proficiency in cursive handwriting at the end of the 5th grade level to receive additional instruction until proficiency is demonstrated (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that the effective date of this bill is July 1, 2025 (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires students to be good at both reading and writing in cursive by the end of the 5th grade in Idaho.

Highlights:

• Specifies that this act is meant to ensure Idaho student proficiency in cursive writing (Sec. 1).

• Requires Idaho public schools to require proficiency in cursive handwriting by the end of the 5th grade level (Sec. 2).

• Requires the state board of education to require cursive handwriting instruction for students, beginning in the 3rd grade level (Sec. 2).

• Requires the state board of education to establish the following requirements (Sec. 2):

• Benchmarks for cursive handwriting proficiency; 

• Guidelines and examples for assessing student progress; and

• Resources to assist teachers in providing effective cursive handwriting instruction. 

• Requires all Idaho public schools to be in compliance with the provisions of this bill by the start of the 2025-2026 academic year (Sec. 2).

• Requires students who fail to show proficiency in cursive handwriting at the end of the 5th grade level to receive additional instruction until proficiency is demonstrated (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that the effective date of this bill is July 1, 2025 (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text