Anyone Else Consider This an Epic Fail?

[Trend]

I was just baffled by this one.

Four years ago we were notified by the school system that they would no longer be teaching the kids cursive writing. I went to the school board meetings, PTA etc and voiced my concerns. They listened but blew me off.

Today my son and daughter come home and they have these "contracts" with the school covering everything from policies on bullying to dress codes etc. The instruction clearly say the child must SIGN their name. It actually says Do Not Print.

So neither of my kids know how to sign their names which was precisely my issue with the school's policy.

I called the school and asked... How are the kids supposed to sign their names when you are no longer teaching them cursive?

The answer: " Oh .. ummm... that's a good question"

[SilentKnight]

The answer is simple - your kids won't have to abide by the 'contract' since they've never been taught cursive writing.

They're exempted.

[RyuLion]

Originally Posted by SilentKnight

The answer is simple - your kids won't have to abide by the 'contract' since they've never been taught cursive writing.

They're exempted.

[Jim_Gunn]

You don't have to have learned and practiced cursive handwriting to sign your own name. All one has to do is make a scribble that looks roughly like one's name and voila, signature.

[johnnyloadproductions]

I went to a private school until 2nd grade and learned cursive in kindergarten. When I transferred to the public school the students voiced concern that I was fully fluent in cursive writing while they were still learning to write their alphabet. The teacher actually came over and told me to stop... so I did. Only used it to write checks and sign my name since.

[sandman!]

[LeRoy]

1st world problems!

[georgeyw]

Originally Posted by Jim_Gunn

You don't have to have learned and practiced cursive handwriting to sign your own name. All one has to do is make a scribble that looks roughly like one's name and voila, signature.

This.

My signature is not exactly cursive, more like a scribble.

[_Richard_]

Originally Posted by Trend

I called the school and asked... How are the kids supposed to sign their names when you are no longer teaching them cursive?

The answer: " Oh .. ummm... that's a good question"

good for you man, wish you recorded that question

Originally Posted by Jim_Gunn

You don't have to have learned and practiced cursive handwriting to sign your own name. All one has to do is make a scribble that looks roughly like one's name and voila, signature.

right after cursive, they taught us signatures, not sure how it works in the states

[TheSquealer]

This is the society of retards we are crafting. No more standards - just a race to the bottom where nobody wins.

[Rochard]

Originally Posted by Trend

I called the school and asked... How are the kids supposed to sign their names when you are no longer teaching them cursive?

That's a valid point really.

Our school handbook was just mailed to us, and one of the strangest thing was - in large font and bold print - about how gang colors are not allowed. It was singled out like it was the most important rule in the book. I don't want my kid being kicked out of school be cause they wore a yellow shirt or something silly, so we called and asked... And they couldn't tell us what the local gang colors were either.

[L-Pink]

So what. In fact why learn math since all smart phones have a calculator. And why not just show kids how to use google and forget history as well.

[Sly]

Originally Posted by L-Pink

So what. In fact why learn math since all smart phones have a calculator. And why not just show kids how to use google and forget history as well.

Why teach them to work? Our welfare programs are getting better by the day!

[Harmon]

We used to have what they called "penmanship" classes when I was in school. We were graded on a number of different factors. This was cursive writing.

I'm guessing that we live in a "digital age" and they find it to be less important. Fuck, I can digitally sign a credit card application online and its as good as gold.

IMO the school systems are getting lazy. Simple fundamentals like this will probably be a perk on a job application 20 or so years down the road.

Teach your kids to do in your off time I guess. That's what we have done.

[Captain Kawaii]

In other news, American IQ's have dropped 14 points in the last 100 years. Thank you Fed. Dept of Ed.

Just scribble everything. If you are called on it, sue!

Time for families to invest in home schooling or private schools. Will more than pay for itself when your kids become the sheep herders and not the sheep.

[_Richard_]

Originally Posted by Sly

Why teach them to work? Our welfare programs are getting better by the day!

welfare?

try prison-for-profits

[Harmon]

Oh yeah, and remember, there was a time that isn't terribly long ago when men had their character as well as intelligence judged by their penmanship.

Notice no "X" marks or scribbles on the Declaration of Independence?

[Trend]

Originally Posted by Rochard

That's a valid point really.

Our school handbook was just mailed to us, and one of the strangest thing was - in large font and bold print - about how gang colors are not allowed. It was singled out like it was the most important rule in the book. I don't want my kid being kicked out of school be cause they wore a yellow shirt or something silly, so we called and asked... And they couldn't tell us what the local gang colors were either.

Ha! Thats funny... and another valid question. So what are those local colors?



It was really sad honestly. My daughter has been on the A-B honor roll for the past two years & we have a tutor that comes 2ce a week. She's smart and works hard.

She looked embarrassed when she asked ... "Dad.... I don't know how to do this, can you help me?"

So here at home (with the tutor) we have added penmanship to the schedule.

[SilentKnight]

Originally Posted by Rochard

That's a valid point really.

Our school handbook was just mailed to us, and one of the strangest thing was - in large font and bold print - about how gang colors are not allowed. It was singled out like it was the most important rule in the book. I don't want my kid being kicked out of school be cause they wore a yellow shirt or something silly, so we called and asked... And they couldn't tell us what the local gang colors were either.

Sounds like the school is trying to give the impression they're being pro-active about gangs...when in fact they're actually superficial and disconnected from the actual reality.

[marcop]

Originally Posted by TheSquealer

This is the society of retards we are crafting. No more standards - just a race to the bottom where nobody wins.

Sounds like the porn business.

[dyna mo]

in 4 years i prolly would have found an afternoon to spend teaching my children how to sign their names.

[L-Pink]

Actually a third grade education is way more than necessary to be qualified to work at or shop at wal-mart. Look at the money we can save by closing all but elementary schools. Money that can fund an expanded food stamp program.

[xNetworx]

Originally Posted by L-Pink

Actually a third grade education is way more than necessary to be qualified to work at or shop at wal-mart. Look at the money we can save by closing all but elementary schools. Money that can fund an expanded food stamp program.

[JockoHomo]

I feel sorry for this generation who rely on machines for everything...they know how to use machines but not how to THINK!

Just wait until the power goes out and doesn't come back on! They will be fucked!

[Far-L]

A lot more to cursive writing than meets the eye...

It is actually teaching special hand to eye coordination and helps brain development.

[kane]

Teaching cursive is a worthless waste of time by the school system. Why? Simple. I have never, ever, worked somewhere where I had to fill out forms or documents by hand where they asked me to write in cursive. I had some places that specifically said to print. It is easier to read (in most cases) and easier to teach.

They can take an extra couple of days and teach kids about signatures so they can sign their signatures.

As for the contract. It is bullshit too. Kids can't sign legally binding contracts. They are simply doing that to make sure that you and your kid read the rules and understand them.

[Captain Kawaii]

Originally Posted by L-Pink

Actually a third grade education is way more than necessary to be qualified to work at or shop at wal-mart. Look at the money we can save by closing all but elementary schools. Money that can fund an expanded food stamp program.

A program actively promoted in Mexico. Viva Stupidi! Americans are definitely getting the shaft. US kids should migrate elsewhere.

[KillerK]

Originally Posted by kane

Teaching cursive is a worthless waste of time by the school system. Why? Simple. I have never, ever, worked somewhere where I had to fill out forms or documents by hand where they asked me to write in cursive. I had some places that specifically said to print. It is easier to read (in most cases) and easier to teach.

They can take an extra couple of days and teach kids about signatures so they can sign their signatures.

As for the contract. It is bullshit too. Kids can't sign legally binding contracts. They are simply doing that to make sure that you and your kid read the rules and understand them.

You probably were never asked to do 2x + 10 = 20 in your job either.

It's more then just the writing.

[kane]

Originally Posted by KillerK

You probably were never asked to do 2x + 10 = 20 in your job either.

It's more then just the writing.

Maybe not that exact equation, but I have used math in many of my jobs.

What I am saying is that I don't see the use in teaching kids how to write one way, then teaching then how to write a second way especially when they will likely rarely use that second way unless they choose to write cursive in their daily life.

My mom writes cursive for everything she does and it is so sloppy I can't read half of what she writes. When she prints, I can read it.

Sure, others have better penmanship and I understand that teaching cursive helps to teach concentration etc, I just think there are better ways to spend that time.

Back in the days when we wrote everything out by hand it might have been more relevant, but it just isn't today. Hell, just spend that time teaching them how to write in general. So many kids these days seem to be semi-literate.

[Bourke]

So I take it you did not read the link above about how learning cursive helps with brain growth and learning better hand eye co-ordination? I've never played dodge ball since leaving school but it helped DEVELOP co-ordination, proprioception and spatial awareness. So it was worthwhile.

[JFK]

Originally Posted by Harmon

Oh yeah, and remember, there was a time that isn't terribly long ago when men had their character as well as intelligence judged by their penmanship.

Notice no "X" marks or scribbles on the Declaration of Independence?

I was always terrible in penmanship and writing, had my knuckles wrapped with a ruler many a time

[kane]

Originally Posted by Bourke

So I take it you did not read the link above about how learning cursive helps with brain growth and learning better hand eye co-ordination? I've never played dodge ball since leaving school but it helped DEVELOP co-ordination, proprioception and spatial awareness. So it was worthwhile.

Actually, I did read it. So am I to believe teaching cursive is the only way to develop these motor skills?

I believe in a well-rounded education. I understand that often times we are taught things that we will likely never use in our day to day lives if for no other reason than having that knowledge makes us a better person. I am just no a fan of doing something that seems, to me, redundant.

I just feel there are better ways to spend the time that would otherwise be used teaching cursive teaching kids something else. I'm sure there are plenty of things they could have the kids learn that will stimulate their brains, help their problem solving skills and teach them motor skills that they might actually use down the road somewhere.

Change is not bad.

[DWB]

That is a huge fail. However, don't rely on school to prepare your children for life. Teach them what they need to know yourself. If you believe cursive is one of those things, teach it to them.

Homeschooling for the big win.

[seeandsee]

that is serious school system, lol

[crockett]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

in 4 years i prolly would have found an afternoon to spend teaching my children how to sign their names.

Can you sign your name in Russian much less read it? How about Chinese? Might as well be the same if the kids don't understand what the letters are they are writing, Much less how are they supposed to read other people's signatures or writing for that matter if it's in cursive.


To the Op, don't fear this is a nation wide thing. They have cut cursive out of most schools around the US. Just another fine example of tax dollars at work.

[kane]

Originally Posted by crockett

Can you sign your name in Russian much less read it? How about Chinese? Might as well be the same if the kids don't understand what the letters are they are writing, Much less how are they supposed to read other people's signatures or writing for that matter if it's in cursive.


To the Op, don't fear this is a nation wide thing. They have cut cursive out of most schools around the US. Just another fine example of tax dollars at work.

Be 100% honest here.

Aside from someone's signature when was the last time you wrote something in cursive or read something that was written in cursive?

For me it was so long ago I can't remember when it was.

Also, learning cursive is not the same thing as learning a different language. It is learning a different way of writing the language that you already know.

[privatesociety]

Education is getting worse, I feel some of the teachers dont even really give a crap... some... not all

[Matyko]

Originally Posted by Trend

I was just baffled by this one.

Four years ago we were notified by the school system that they would no longer be teaching the kids cursive writing. I went to the school board meetings, PTA etc and voiced my concerns. They listened but blew me off.

Today my son and daughter come home and they have these "contracts" with the school covering everything from policies on bullying to dress codes etc. The instruction clearly say the child must SIGN their name. It actually says Do Not Print.

So neither of my kids know how to sign their names which was precisely my issue with the school's policy.

I called the school and asked... How are the kids supposed to sign their names when you are no longer teaching them cursive?

The answer: " Oh .. ummm... that's a good question"

The struggle with such things made me a Waldorf-Education fan. My older daughter will just begin elementary school in a few weeks.. Neither she and neither we parents are worried, here kids don't have to write for a long time. It is not forbidden, but is based on a fact that only 6-15 percent of the 6-7 year old kids have the physical ability [anatomy] to hold a pencil/pen and write [small] letters..

[TheSquealer]

Originally Posted by kane

Be 100% honest here.

Aside from someone's signature when was the last time you wrote something in cursive or read something that was written in cursive?

For me it was so long ago I can't remember when it was.

Also, learning cursive is not the same thing as learning a different language. It is learning a different way of writing the language that you already know.

The problem with this is not that they stopped doing it... the problem is that the fact that they stopped doing it and they weren't smart enough to say what they would replace it with. Instead they let it become a negative PR scandal instead of saying "instead of cursive, we are going to emphasize [more important life skill here]"

Humans do not respond well to "taking away" and "loss". It's a basic primal, feast or famine type instinctive reaction ingrained in our DNA.

That said, i think they should keep teaching the same things as always. Learning and education is not about what you can apply in life.. if that was the case, they'd be teaching, "bagging groceries" and "shovel handling 101" all through high school. There should be standards and the standards should be high. Not continually lowered.

[woj]

decision has been made to cut out teaching of obsolete skills and it turns into some conspiracy, someone to blame, someone to bitch at? isn't it pretty damn obvious that if they cut out cursive writing, they will teach more of other skills like math or reading or whatever? Is that really such a bad idea?

[purecane]

[crockett]

Originally Posted by kane

Be 100% honest here.

Aside from someone's signature when was the last time you wrote something in cursive or read something that was written in cursive?

For me it was so long ago I can't remember when it was.

Also, learning cursive is not the same thing as learning a different language. It is learning a different way of writing the language that you already know.

I write both ways to be honest. The odd thing is I actually sign my name with a combination of cursive and script. I use a nice fancy cursive first letter followed up by script.

[Best-In-BC]

lol, the mere fact that anyone here think we need this style of writing is appalling, and again, if you cant teach your kids to sign there name, your failing as well .

[Emil]

Cursive writing is probably the most useless thing I learned in school.

[RebelR]

Originally Posted by Emil

Cursive writing is probably the most useless thing I learned in school.

I wouldn't be so sure. My writing is sort of a hybrid of printing and cursive but I still use it daily. I think cursive is a faster, more efficient type of writing rather than printing. But even if you choose not to write in cursive, what happens when someone hands you something written in cursive and you have to hand it back and say.. I can't read this? Thankfully, you will never have to do this because you learned it in school.

I'd say the answer is perhaps not to have as much emphasis on cursive handwriting, but it's still part of every day life.

[pornguy]

Originally Posted by Jim_Gunn

You don't have to have learned and practiced cursive handwriting to sign your own name. All one has to do is make a scribble that looks roughly like one's name and voila, signature.

True but not really the point.

My son started learning cursive in 1st grade.

[Chris]

My daughter wanted to learn it so she taught it to her self with one of those cheap workbooks

[Trend]

Originally Posted by woj

decision has been made to cut out teaching of obsolete skills and it turns into some conspiracy, someone to blame, someone to bitch at? isn't it pretty damn obvious that if they cut out cursive writing, they will teach more of other skills like math or reading or whatever? Is that really such a bad idea?

That isn't how it works & I would contend that penmanship isn't an obsolete skill .. as evidenced by the fact that the very school who cut it is asking for it.

Worse .. they are not teaching more of the other skills. What they do is teach down to the lowest denominator. The truth is that now:

Regular Classes = Borderline special education

AP Classes = The former regular classes.

[Tom_PM]

Follow the money. School is not about educating, it's about having standard test scores high enough to continue funding. Sorry about that.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by crockett

Can you sign your name in Russian much less read it? How about Chinese? Might as well be the same if the kids don't understand what the letters are they are writing, Much less how are they supposed to read other people's signatures or writing for that matter if it's in cursive.


To the Op, don't fear this is a nation wide thing. They have cut cursive out of most schools around the US. Just another fine example of tax dollars at work.

this had nothing to do with my post. the op complaint was the kids could not sign a document, in 4 years i would have at least taught them their names.