[dugditches]

I recall being forced to learn Cursive Script[1] in early grades, since 'it's all you would use to write Essays and assignments in once you got to high school'. Upon reaching highschool we were always asked to print.

I think it should be dropped in favor of Typing Courses. While I suspect youth are on devices a lot, it's likely mostly touch screens. This also would possibly help children learn more words quicker as well as a useful skill.

I grew up with awful handwriting, to the point of failing Standardized Testing, I recall being one of the first students to be allowed to type it(I suspect it's all done this way now).

Turns out I was holding my writing utensil wrong. With it resting on my Ring Finger knuckle[2]. This grip had my thumb, ring, and middle fingers all bearing down on the tip, causing far too much pressure. As an adult it took a while to learn a proper grip and I now enjoy writing.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%27Nealian

[2] internet example https://i.imgur.com/krdw7sT.jpg

[SwellJoe]

"I grew up with awful handwriting, to the point of failing Standardized Testing, I recall being one of the first students to be allowed to type it(I suspect it's all done this way now)."

I was diagnosed with dysgraphia in 4th grade and was allowed to type most things from then on; except by a couple of shitty teachers who thought I was just being lazy or something (and, not coincidentally, those were the classes I failed and was held back in). This was back in the 80s when learning disabilities were somewhat novel in small-town schools in the south. I was lucky enough to have a computer (a C64, with printer!) at home beginning around that same age. I don't recall if it came into the house before or after my diagnosis...probably just before.

I've always thought I was really lucky to have had a computer at such a young age at the time, but now that I'm thinking of it on the timeline of when I was dealing with having trouble writing and being treated like I was stupid by teachers because of it, I'm seeing that luck and privilege in a new light. Once I got a copy of SpeedScript and later GeoWrite, I was able to do nice reports and homework...it became somewhat of an advantage or at least less of a curse.