Educators seek to prepare students with skills that are relevant in the real world. Because computers are so commonplace both in the workplace and at home, today's students need to know how to use a keypad and have proficient typing skills to ultimately compete in the job market. In decades past, typing was offered as an elective course; current education requirements demand that every student be introduced to this vital skill.
Because of the importance of computer-oriented skills, schools must decide whether to phase out less essential skills such as cursive handwriting. Doing so would enable educators to spend more time on skills the students will actually use. Still, as of 2007, an overwhelming majority of elementary teachers across the United States taught penmanship as part of their regular curriculum.
By 2011, many schools still taught cursive as part of their core curriculum, but this varied by district. The Indiana Department of Education decided that for the 2011-12 school year, teaching cursive writing was no longer required; it was left to the discretion of the districts whether it could be included as part of the local standard. Otherwise, schools were to focus on making students more proficient in keyboarding skills. This decision was in line with the Common Core State Standards curriculum, adopted by 44 of 50 states as of the date of publication, which includes phasing out cursive writing as a required course.
These changes sparked controversy since many parents and educators still believe that cursive remains a relevant skill for today's students. As of the date of publication, the SAT and Advanced Placement tests required handwritten essays. Students' success on these important exams depend in part on legibility and speed. Furthermore, cursive offers a student the opportunity for self-expression, and educators who read sloppy handwriting often find that it distracts from a paper's overall ideas and content. Despite the advent of technology, legible handwriting remains a factor in a student's academic career.