HB 580: Georgia Penmanship Act; enact

Georgia law currently does not require public schools to teach cursive handwriting. This bill, called the Georgia Penmanship Act, would change that by adding a new section to the state's education code (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-140.2) under the Quality Basic Education Act. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, every local board of education in Georgia would have to provide instruction in cursive writing. Schools could fold this instruction into an existing class rather than create a brand new course. The State Board of Education would be responsible for two things: writing the content standards that describe what students should learn, and deciding which grades or grade levels must receive the instruction. The bill sets a deadline of January 1, 2026 for the State Board to finish that work, giving schools time to prepare before the teaching requirement begins.

• Adds a new section to Georgia's Quality Basic Education Act requiring local school boards to teach cursive writing beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.
• Lets schools incorporate cursive instruction into an existing course rather than requiring a separate class.
• Requires the State Board of Education to adopt content standards for cursive writing instruction by January 1, 2026.
• Directs the State Board of Education to determine which grades or grade levels must receive the cursive instruction.
• Gives the new law an official short title, the 'Georgia Penmanship Act.'

Public school students and teachers across Georgia, especially in the elementary grades where handwriting instruction typically occurs, local boards of education that must add cursive to their curriculum, and the State Board of Education, which must write standards and set grade levels.

If enacted, Georgia students would be guaranteed cursive handwriting instruction that many schools have dropped in recent years as digital typing became more common in classrooms. Local districts would need to adjust lesson plans and teacher training once the state sets standards and grade levels.

• Section 1 gives the bill its short title, the 'Georgia Penmanship Act.'
• Section 2 adds new Code section 20-2-140.2, requiring local boards of education to teach cursive writing beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.
• Section 2 allows cursive instruction to be incorporated into an existing course rather than requiring a standalone class.
• Section 2 requires the State Board of Education to adopt content standards and determine appropriate grade levels no later than January 1, 2026.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-02-26House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-02-24House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-21House Hopper (House)

• Imani Barnes (D, HD-086)Primary sponsor
• Derrick Jackson (D, HD-068)
• Karla Drenner (D, HD-085)
• Lydia Glaize (D, HD-067)
• Phil Olaleye (D, HD-059)
• David Wilkerson (D, HD-038)

• cursive writing
• public schools
• education curriculum
• Quality Basic Education Act
• State Board of Education