THE BILL ITSELF
SB 444
Required Instruction in Cursive Writing
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 444 By Senator Grall 29-00831-26 2026444__
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A bill to be entitled
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An act relating to required instruction in cursive
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writing; amending s. 1003.42, F.S.; requiring students
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in specified grades to receive instruction in cursive
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writing; providing requirements for such instruction;
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requiring students to demonstrate proficiency in
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cursive writing by the end of a specified grade;
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defining the term “proficiency in cursive writing”;
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providing an effective date.
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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Section 1. Paragraph (w) is added to subsection (2) of
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section 1003.42, Florida Statutes, to read:
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1003.42 Required instruction.—
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(2) Members of the instructional staff of the public
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schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education
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and the district school board, shall teach efficiently and
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faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the
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highest standards for professionalism and historical accuracy,
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following the prescribed courses of study, and employing
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approved methods of instruction, the following:
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(w)1. For students in grades 2 through 5, the study of
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cursive writing and the development of the skills necessary for
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legible cursive writing, including:
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a. Letter formation.
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b. Proper spacing and alignment.
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c. Practice in writing complete words and sentences in
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cursive.
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2. By the end of grade 5, each student must demonstrate
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proficiency in cursive writing through an evaluation of written
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work. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “proficiency
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in cursive writing” means all of the following:
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a. The ability to write uppercase and lowercase letters of
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the alphabet in cursive writing.
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b. Writing words and sentences in cursive legibly and
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maintaining proper spacing and alignment.
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c. The ability to read and apply cursive writing in a
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manner that supports literacy development, including writing
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essays and assignments in cursive writing in accordance with
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state academic standards.
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The State Board of Education is encouraged to adopt standards
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and pursue assessment of the requirements of this subsection.
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Instructional programming that incorporates the values of the
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recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor and that is
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offered as part of a social studies, English Language Arts, or
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other schoolwide character building and veteran awareness
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initiative meets the requirements of paragraph (u).
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Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.