On Feb. 11, 2026, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) issued a broadcast providing technical implementation details for the recently enacted cursive handwriting mandate. Following Governor Phil Murphy’s signing of P.L. 2025, c. 284 on Jan. 19, 2026, all public school districts are required to incorporate cursive instruction into their curricula starting in the 2026-2027 school year.
The new law aims to ensure that by the end of fifth grade, every student is proficient in both reading and legibly writing in cursive. To support our members in navigating this transition, the NJEA Professional Development and Instructional Issues (PDII) Division highlights the following key components of the NJDOE guidance:
Instructional Requirements and Timeline
- Target Grades: Instruction must occur specifically in grades three through five.
- Goal: Students should be able to read cursive text and write legibly by the end of the fifth grade.
- Implementation Date: Districts must have these updates integrated into their curriculum by the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
Curriculum Considerations for Educators
The NJDOE recommends that cursive instruction build upon the foundational manuscript skills established in the 2023 NJSLS-ELA. Educators should focus on:
- Explicit and Systematic Instruction: Creating developmentally sequenced lessons with ample guided practice before expecting independent application.
- Consistency: Establishing a uniform cursive style and instructional approach across all grade levels within the district.
- Integration: Once mastery is demonstrated, cursive can be integrated into other content areas, such as recording science observations or writing brief reflections.
- Reading Proficiency: Providing opportunities to examine authentic cursive texts, including literature and primary source documents like the U.S. Constitution.
Supporting Diverse Learners
The NJDOE emphasizes that teachers must adjust instruction and materials to support students with varying needs. This includes providing necessary accommodations and modifications to ensure all students can participate meaningfully in handwriting instruction.
This video provides a brief news overview of the new law and its implications for New Jersey elementary classrooms.
As always, please reach out to the Professional Development and Instructional Issues (PDII) Division with any questions or requests for support as you begin planning for this new curricular requirement.