State School Board Accepting Comments Proposed Handwriting Standards

The Utah State Board of Education is now accepting public comments on its proposed handwriting standards for inclusion in the elementary language arts standards. The public can both view the standards and comment on them through the Utah State Office of Education website. The direct link is www.schools.utah.gov/CURR/langartelem/Proposed-additions-Comment.aspx. The link is also available under “Popular Links” on the office’s homepage, www.schools.utah.gov.

In fall 2012, the Utah State Board of Education asked staff to determine if specific handwriting standards should be written into the state’s elementary language arts standards. Teaching and learning staff determined that handwriting (both manuscript and cursive) is an important skill for students to learn. Teaching and practicing writing allows students to write letters correctly and fluently. Fluent writers are able to focus on generating ideas, producing grammatically correct text, and considering audience. Even in a technology-based world, handwriting is important to support the creation of ideas and deeper level thinking.

Comments will be accepted through May 6.  They will be summarized and presented to the Board during its June 7 meeting at which point the Board will determine next steps in including handwriting in the elementary language arts standards.