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Wake-Up Call: State Sen. Jean Leising On Why Indiana Kids Need Cursive Writing

Courtesy Indiana Senate Republicans

Today on WBAA's Wake-Up Call, we talk to State Senator Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) about her six-year effort to convince Indiana lawmakers to mandate cursive writing be taught in Hoosier schools.

This year, the General Assembly didn't approve Leising's long-sought after mandate.

But it did support her compromise plan requiring the Indiana Department of Education to ask teachers, school administrators and school board members whether they want mandatory instruction of cursive writing.

We asked Leising why she's pursuing the requirement at a time when most pre-schoolers are learning keyboard skills before they head to school, and the emphasis in the classroom is on teaching young students digital skills, such as writing code.