How Cursive Instruction Can Boost Delaware’s Reading Scores

Delaware's literacy rates remain a challenge, with many students struggling to reach proficiency in reading. According to the Delaware Department of Education’s (DDOE) Report Card for the 2024-2025 school year, just 42% of students were proficient in English Language Arts. Meanwhile, results from the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) show that only 26% of Delaware grade 4 students and 23% of grade 8 students scored at or above the NAEP Proficient level in reading. Both the DDOE Report Card and NAEP reveal a shared concern: Delaware students are struggling with literacy. While addressing reading difficulties requires a multifaceted approach, one overlooked yet cost-effective tool already sits in Delaware law: cursive handwriting instruction.

The Power of Cursive: Supporting Literacy Development

Cursive instruction is not a stand-alone solution to Delaware’s reading challenges, nor should it replace scientifically-backed reading instruction. However, research consistently shows that handwriting—specifically cursive—supports foundational literacy skills that are essential for both reading and writing.

Studies indicate that handwriting, particularly cursive, plays a crucial role in reinforcing letter recognition, spelling patterns, writing fluency, and the reading-writing connection.

• A 2012 study by Karin Harman James and Laura Engelhardt demonstrated that children who practiced handwriting activated brain circuits associated with letter perception, something that was not observed after typing or tracing.

  
  

• Similarly, a 2020 study by Eva Ose Askvik and colleagues found distinct differences in brain activity between handwriting and typewriting, with potential implications for learning and memory.

  
  

• A 2016 meta-analysis by Tanya Santangelo and Steve Graham found that explicit handwriting instruction improves handwriting quality and fluency, leading to better writing outcomes.

  
  

• Furthermore, a 2022 study by Gustaf Skar and colleagues confirmed that handwriting fluency was associated with stronger writing quality in primary grades.

  
  

• A meta-analysis on writing instruction and reading outcomes found that writing instruction—particularly in handwriting—can improve reading results for students with literacy difficulties.

Delaware’s Cursive Requirement: A Step in the Right Direction

In 2017, Delaware took an important step by passing legislation (Title 14 §4138, House Bill 70) requiring public elementary schools to teach cursive writing by the end of grade 4. While this was a forward-thinking policy, its implementation has been inconsistent. The law does not specify a minimum amount of instructional time, nor does it require schools to report whether students have reached basic competency in cursive. As a result, cursive instruction varies widely across classrooms—some schools emphasize cursive fluency, while others offer only short units that leave many students without lasting proficiency.

This lack of consistency makes it difficult to gauge whether the policy is having its intended impact on student literacy. To address this, Delaware must establish clearer expectations for cursive instruction, improve implementation, and ensure that schools are held accountable.

Strengthening Delaware’s Cursive Instruction Requirement

Delaware can build on the existing cursive instruction policy to improve literacy outcomes statewide. Here are key steps that could strengthen the policy and support Delaware students:

1. Set Clear Expectations for Instruction

   Establish a weekly minimum for cursive instruction, such as 75 to 100 minutes per week during grades 2 to 4. This could be delivered through short, daily lessons that reinforce handwriting skills across the early grades.

   
   

2. Maintain Cursive Practice in Higher Grades

   In grades 5 through 8, cursive should continue to be reinforced through regular writing assignments, ensuring students retain fluency. This could include appropriate accommodations for students who require additional support.

   
   

3. Introduce Annual Compliance Checks

   Add a simple annual reporting mechanism through existing Delaware Department of Education tools to track cursive instruction across schools. This would help ensure that the policy is being implemented consistently and effectively.

   
   

4. Provide Teacher Support

   Offer targeted funding and professional development for teachers to ensure they are prepared to teach cursive writing effectively. Teachers will need resources and training to integrate cursive instruction into their classrooms consistently.

   
   

5. Pilot Program for Evaluation

   Launch a pilot program in the 2027-2028 school year involving 20 schools. The pilot would track outcomes using Delaware’s state assessment scores and NAEP-aligned reading and writing measures to evaluate the impact of stronger cursive instruction on literacy.

A Low-Cost, High-Impact Solution

Strengthening cursive instruction in Delaware is a practical, low-cost solution that can significantly improve students’ literacy development. Parents reasonably expect schools to teach essential skills like reading, writing, and penmanship—not just technology. Handwriting, including cursive, supports these basic skills and can help bridge the gap in literacy outcomes.

Unlike many education reforms that require new bureaucracies or high costs, enhancing cursive instruction would only require additional minutes of instructional time and modest materials. This is a chance for Delaware to turn an existing policy into a higher-impact literacy support system. It’s not about going backward or focusing on outdated practices, but about ensuring that students develop the necessary skills to support their reading and writing growth.

By strengthening and measuring cursive instruction, Delaware can take a step toward better literacy outcomes—one that reinforces foundational skills while using existing tools to track progress.

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