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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A new Florida bill is trying to, once again, make cursive writing a required subject in schools.
HB 127, introduced by State Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-District 85, and State Rep. Dana Trabulsy, R-District 84, would require students in grades 2 through 5 to study cursive writing.
The course would cover cursive letter formation, spacing and alignment, and writing in complete words and sentences.
By the end of the fifth grade, a student would need to demonstrate their cursive writing proficiency through an evaluation of their written work.
According to the bill, the proficiency would be determined by:
- The ability to write uppercase and lowercase letters in cursive
- Writing words and sentences in cursive legibly
- The ability “to read and apply cursive writing in a manner that supports literacy development, including writing essays and assignments in cursive writing in accordance with state academic standards.”
If passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the bill would take effect on July 1, 2026.
The current bill has now been referred to the Student Academic Success Subcommittee. A previous bill filed in 2025 was passed by the Florida House but died in the senate.
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