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State committee recommends cursive writing be taught in all Kansas schools


K-12 English-Language Arts Education Program Consultant Joann McRell shares recommendations on teaching handwriting with the Kansas Board of Education.

BY SYDNEY HOOVER


Kansas schools should integrate cursive writing into their K-6 curriculum, a consultant told the state Board of Education at its Tuesday meeting.


K-12 English-Language Arts Education Program Consultant Joann McRell outlined several reasons why the committee reviewing the Kansas model standards for handwriting came to its decision. 


For instance, many historical documents are written in cursive, making it necessary for students to be able to read cursive writing, she said. Additionally, cursive lettering can enhance expressive processing of students with dyslexia. 


Cursive writing benefits reading, writing and spelling skills and “is imperative in a literate society,” McRell said.


The Eudora School District includes cursive writing in its curriculum, spokesman Mark Dodge said in an interview. However, McRell said it’s likely many school districts throughout the state do not. 


The Board of Education will look at an action regarding the recommendations at its next meeting in February. 


The board also heard an update Tuesday from the E-Cigarette/Vaping Task Force.


Originally, the task force planned to give the board its recommendations on disciplinary actions for use of vapes. Mark Thompson, a program consultant for the board, said a subgroup has begun compiling a document of those recommendations but felt there is “still work to be done.”


Thompson instead addressed the recent change in federal law, making the tobacco purchasing age 21. 


Because the legal age in Kansas is still 18, the only state entity that can check compliance at retail locations is the Kansas Department of Revenue, because it works for the FDA, Assistant Attorney General Jordan Brewer said. Those 18 and older can still be in possession of tobacco products. 


Thompson said the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition will introduce a Tobacco 21 bill to the Kansas State Legislature this session. 


Reach Sydney Hoover at eudoratimes@gmail.com.

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