Phoenix New Times' Robrt Pela on the return of cursive to the Arizona public school system. Welcome Back, Cursive | Phoenix New Times In praise of penmanship — and creativity.

Solution: these same two sisters, Joyce, age 10, and Gloria, age 8, taught me cursive at home. It was not a problem. There used to be a special kid’s workbook for practicing handwriting.

The reasons used for cursive instruction and the variability of students receiving that instruction have a profound effect on what actually happens when it’s taught. Purpose and context matter.

The school, with fewer than 200 students, is home to multiple winners of the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest. Cindy Halpin helps Alden Michaud practice his cursive writing at St. Brigid ...