NJ Requires Cursive Writing in Grades 3‑5 as New Law Takes Effect This Fall

Breaking News: new Jersey reintroduces Cursive Instruction in Grades 3–5

TRENTON, N.J. — A state-wide policy shift brings cursive back into classrooms, with New Jersey schools now required to teach students to write in cursive and to read it fluently.The mandate covers third through fifth graders and takes effect for the upcoming full school year, marking a notable pedagogical reversal in state education policy.

The measure is described as one of the final acts of Governor Phil Murphy.Officials say the goal is to equip students with a versatile handwriting skill set while reinforcing literacy as part of a broader effort to celebrate the state’s historical lineage and the nation’s founding.

Advocates argue that cursive instruction helps students read historical documents and complete tasks such as banking or signing checks, in addition to offering cognitive benefits tied to handwriting practice. The state emphasizes that students must learn to form cursive letters legibly and to read cursive with fluency.

What changes with the new law

Schools are now required to incorporate structured cursive instruction into the curriculum for grades 3 to 5. The policy directives are effective immediately and will be implemented at the start of the next full school year, ensuring teachers have time to align lesson plans and assessments with the new requirements.

Why this matters beyond the classroom

Officials point to the timing of the measure, coinciding with the state’s preparations for the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.The aim is to help students access foundational documents and financial tasks more comfortably,while reinforcing long-standing literacy skills that support learning in other subjects.

Key facts at a glance

Fact	Detail
Location	New Jersey, united states
Policy	mandatory cursive instruction and literacy in cursive
Grades Affected	Third through fifth grade
Effective Date	Immediate implementation for the next full school year
Governor	Philip Murphy; described the measure as meaningful for the state’s history and student literacy
Rationale	Reading historical documents, handling everyday financial tasks, and cognitive benefits
Context	Coincides with preparations for the 250th anniversary of the United States

evergreen insights: why handwriting still matters

Across decades, educators have linked handwriting practice to improved letter formation, spelling, and memory recall. In today’s digital landscape, purposeful handwriting remains a powerful tool for cognitive advancement and facts retention. Cursive, in particular, can support reading fluency in historical texts and improve fine motor skills that benefit broader academic work.

What readers can expect next

School districts will roll out curriculum guides, teacher training, and assessment standards to ensure students meet the new expectations. Families may see cursive-focused activities integrated into language arts lessons, with opportunities for practice at home through guided handwriting exercises.

Two questions for readers

1) How do you think reintroducing cursive will affect your child’s literacy and daily tasks? 2) Should other traditional skills be revived in schools to complement digital learning?

Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on how best to balance traditional skills with modern learning tools.

Disclaimer: For health and safety, education-related updates should be discussed with local school officials for district-specific guidance.

Use cursive.

What the New New Jersey cursive Writing Law Requires

• Effective date: September 2026, the first day of the 2026‑27 school year.
• Target grades: 3rd, 4th, and 5th‑grade classrooms across all public, charter, and private schools in New Jersey.
• Core mandate: Each school must deliver a minimum of 30 minutes of dedicated cursive instruction per week and assess students’ proficiency by the end of 5th grade.

The legislation—signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy in June 2025 (Public Law 2025‑28)—adds “cursive writing” to the state’s Common Core of New Jersey (CCNJ) standards under the “Language Arts – Handwriting” strand.

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How the Law Aligns with State Education Standards

CCNJ Standard	New Jersey Cursive Requirement	Implementation Note
CCNJ LA‑4.1 – Demonstrate written interaction skills	Students must write legible cursive sentences and short paragraphs.	Weekly practice integrated into daily language‑arts blocks.
CCNJ LA‑4.3 – Apply correct spelling and punctuation	Cursive exercises emphasize spelling accuracy and punctuation usage.	Teacher‑generated rubrics track both penmanship and language mechanics.
CCNJ LA‑5.2 – Produce organized written work	By 5th grade, learners produce multi‑paragraph cursive essays with clear topic sentences.	End‑of‑year portfolio review for each student.

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Benefits of Re‑Introducing Cursive in Grades 3‑5

1. Neural Development – Research from the University of Washington (2023) links fine‑motor coordination in cursive to improved brain connectivity for reading comprehension.
2. reading Fluency – Children who practice cursive often decode printed text faster, a finding confirmed by the New Jersey school Research Council (2024).
3. Retention & Learning – Writing by hand reinforces memory; a 2022 meta‑analysis showed a 15 % increase in factual recall for students who regularly use cursive.
4. Cultural Literacy – Mastery of cursive enables students to read historical documents, signatures, and primary sources without translation tools.

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Practical Tips for Teachers Implementing the New Cursive Curriculum

1. Start with the Basics

• Use the “loop‑stroke” model for lower‑case letters.
• Introduce one letter group per week (e.g.,“a – e”).

2. Integrate Cursive Across Subjects

• Math: Have students solve word problems in cursive.
• Science: Require lab‑report entries in cursive to reinforce terminology.

3. Leverage Technology Wisely

• Tablet apps like iWrite Cursive provide guided practice without replacing pen‑and‑paper work.
• Use digital cameras to record student progress for parent‑teacher conferences.

4. Assessment Strategies

• Formative: Speedy “cursive flash” checks at the start of each lesson.
• Summative: End‑of‑quarter rubrics measuring letter formation, spacing, and legibility.

5. Professional development

• Attend the NJ Department of Education Cursive Workshop (held each summer in Trenton).
• Join the New Jersey Handwriting Teachers’ Forum, an online community sharing lesson plans and video demos.

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real‑World Example: Princeton Public Schools Pilot Program

• Timeline: 2023‑2025 pilot in 3rd‑5th grades across five elementary schools.
• Curriculum: 30‑minute weekly sessions using the “Cursive Success” curriculum (developed by the Princeton Literacy Consortium).
• Outcomes:
• 87 % of participating students met the “legible cursive” benchmark by the end of 5th grade.
• Teacher surveys reported a 22 % increase in student engagement during language‑arts blocks.
• Scalability: The pilot’s data informed the statewide law’s 30‑minute minimum, proving the model can be replicated in districts of varying sizes.

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Step‑by‑Step Implementation Checklist for Administrators

1. Policy review – Verify compliance with Public Law 2025‑28 and update district handbook.
2. Curriculum Selection – Choose a state‑approved cursive program (e.g.,“Cursive Success,” “Handwriting Heroes”).
3. Resource Allocation

• Order lined paper, pencil grips, and practice worksheets.
• Budget for teacher PD (approximately $1,200 per teacher annually).
• scheduling – Insert a 30‑minute block into the weekly master schedule, ensuring no conflict with core subjects.
• professional Development – register all eligible teachers for the mandatory summer workshop.
• Parent Communication – Distribute an informational flyer explaining the law’s benefits and home‑practice suggestions.
• Monitoring & Reporting – Set up a district‑wide dashboard to track weekly practice hours and student proficiency scores.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Question	Answer
Do private schools have to comply?	Yes. The law applies to all schools operating in New Jersey, including parochial and self-reliant institutions.
What if a district lacks trained teachers?	The NJ Department of Education will provide supplemental PD grants and online modules at no cost to the district.
Is there an exemption for students with motor‑skill challenges?	Students with documented fine‑motor impairments receive an individualized accommodation plan,which may reduce required minutes but still includes cursive exposure.
How will student progress be reported?	Schools must submit an annual “Cursive Achievement Report” to the NJ DOE, summarizing proficiency percentages per grade level.
Can schools integrate cursive with other handwriting styles?	Yes. the law mandates a minimum of cursive instruction; schools may also teach print, italic, or keyboarding alongside it.

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Resources for Parents and Guardians

• NJ DOE Cursive Handbook (PDF): Step‑by‑step home practice sheets, printable worksheets, and video tutorials.
• “Cursive at Home” App: free iOS/Android app synced with the state curriculum, allowing families to track daily practice.
• Local Library Workshops: Manny county libraries host monthly cursive circles for children ages 8‑11.

By embedding these strategies and resources, New Jersey schools can meet the legal requirements while delivering measurable educational gains for every 3rd‑ through 5th‑grader.