Dumbing Down America's Kids: Indiana Schools to Stop Teaching Hand Writing

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Typing Beats Scribbling: Indiana Schools Can Stop Teaching Cursive
By: Kayla Webley (24 hours ago)



Who still writes in cursive?

That age-old writing method you might never have used since fourth grade will no longer be taught in Indiana schools come fall, thanks to a memo from school officials. Instead, students will be expected to become proficient in keyboard use.

Seems like a smart move as being able to type efficiently is a vital skill in today's world, as opposed to knowing how to write cursive, which — like being able to churn butter and knowing how to hitch a horse to a wagon — is no longer needed.

But it might not mean the end of cursive entirely in the state. The directive from the state's Department of Education allows schools to decide for themselves whether to continue teaching cursive or disband the archaic practice altogether.

NewsFeed has just one question: How will Indiana's students know how to sign their name?

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/07/06/typing-beats-scribbling-indiana-schools-can-stop-teaching-cursive/#ixzz1RRT8giKh

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Just like schools don't require students to show their work on how they solved math problems, thanks to the calculator.

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We have a similar thing going on here in Illinois.


ISAT writing portion eliminated for High School Juniors
Posted: Jul 06, 2011 5:33 PM

QUINCY, Ill. (WGEM) -- Illinois is down to just reading and arithmetic. In an effort to save money, writing skills will no longer be tested during the ISAT exams for high school juniors.

Since the writing portion of the tests have to be individually scored, the state says this move will save the state about two point four million dollars.

Quincy school officials says even though the state won't be testing for it, teachers will continue to stress the importance of writing in the classroom.

"The state of Illinois tomorrow could say no more writing assessment, we're not focusing on writing and we know better here in this district. We know that writing is critical and so we will always teach it and it will always be important," said Trish Viniard, Quincy's Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum. "

Last year, the state of Illinois dropped the writing portion on ISAT tests for elementary and middle school students in an effort to save money as well.

Video: http://www.wgem.com/story/15036917/isat-writing-portion-eliminated-for-high-school-juniors