Last week, William (Bill) Roberts Elementary became the first Denver Public School to decide to stop teaching kids cursive. Principal Atkins, along with input from teachers and other administrators, decided they would remove cursive from the curriculum. Atkins said that many factors came into play when it came to the decision. “As we move to a more electronic world, cursive simply isn’t as applicable,” said Atkins. “Kids need to be learning to use the tools they will need to be successful, such as iPads, laptops, Microsoft Office programs, etc. We need to take time to work on that stuff instead of a dead writing style. But, in the end, the biggest reason we decided to stop teaching it is because it’s just stupid.”
Some Roberts parents disagree with the move, even to the point of threatening to leave the school. “Cursive connects our kids to our history,” says Roberts parent Amy Gaies. “Will they be able to read important cursive documents such as the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence? I don’t think so.” Other parents agree. “How will they learn to sign their name on a check, or put their name to any contract for that matter,” asks Tom Mason. “If this is a final decision, I am definitely pulling my kid from Roberts and taking them somewhere else.”
Atkins says they are certainly willing to hear feedback from the community. “We appreciate input from the community in regards to our curriculum,” said Atkins. If we hear some valid arguments that change our opinions between now and the beginning of the ’15-’16 school year, we will absolutely consider them. But, to be completely sincere about it, our minds are pretty made up.” This latest decision will be Roberts most signature move to date. Okay, maybe not signature move.
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