Indiana State Sen. Jean Leising Makes 15th Attempt to Restore Cursive Writing in Hoosier Schools

In what has become almost a traditional annual undertaking, Indiana State Sen. Jean Leising is steadfast in her campaign to reintegrate the lost art of cursive writing into the Hoosier state's educational system, marking her 15th attempt to push the legislation forward. Senator Leising, a Republican from Oldenburg, joined forces with State Sens. Sue Glick of LaGrange and Vaneta Becker of Evansville, seeks to make cursive instruction a staple in Indiana schools once more.

Leising's persistence draws not from some whimsical nostalgia—although that age-old allure of handwritten notes might play some part—but from a concerning disparity revealed through a statewide survey conducted last fall, the bill purports the crucial advantage that handwriting provides in learning retention and honoring the country's historical legacy, considering many seminal American documents are scribed in flowing cursive letters; so while 91% of state-accredited private schools uphold the cursive tradition, a stark contrast exists with only just about half, 52%, of public schools adhering to such curricula, leaving a significant portion of students ill-equipped to even sign their own names.

"Because so many schools do not teach cursive, many students are unable to sign their own names," Leising lamented, adding to the sentiment by emphasizing the various benefits that come with the handwriting skill, this notion is within a statement obtained by IndianaSenateRepublicans.com.

As the 2025 legislative session looms, Sen. Leising's call to action beckons the constituents of Senate District 42, offering easy means for them to weigh in on the matter through the promise of open lines of communication whether it be via the senator's "Contact Me" form online or by the direct connection of a phone call, and there’s hope in Leising’s camp that this endeavor, this time around, will pen its own success story in the annals of Indiana's lawmaking, solidifying that crucial connection between a student's potential and the countless pages of America’s storied past.