Florida students will soon need more than keyboards and touchscreens in the classroom.
Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, public school students in grades 3 through 5 will be required to learn cursive writing under a new state law that took effect July 1.
The requirement is part of Senate Bill 182, signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on April 20 after being filed in October 2025.
Under the law, Florida public schools must provide cursive instruction for students in grades 3 through 5. By the end of fifth grade, students must demonstrate proficiency in both reading and writing cursive.
State law defines proficiency as the ability to write uppercase and lowercase letters in cursive, form legible words and complete sentences with proper spacing and alignment, and read cursive writing.
Students will also be expected to apply those skills in essays and other classroom assignments that align with Florida’s academic standards.
Supporters of the measure say cursive remains an important part of literacy development, helping students strengthen handwriting, improve fine motor skills and read historical documents and handwritten materials.
The cursive requirement is one of several education changes included in Senate Bill 182, which expands instructional requirements in Florida public schools.
The law officially took effect July 1 and will apply to students when classes begin for the 2026-27 academic year.
