As Principal of BCIT Adult Education programs, I’m excited to share that cursive handwriting is making a return! — and I am especially excited that New Jersey is bringing this valuable skill back into education.

I know what some of you may be thinking — “Cursive? In a digital world?”

This isn’t about replacing technology. It’s about strengthening our students’ cognitive toolkit.

Cursive writing develops fine motor control, hand-eye coordination, focus, and precision. The continuous, flowing movements strengthen the small muscles of the hand and fingers — skills directly connected to success in our Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Whether you’re laying a clean weld bead, diagnosing an engine issue, wiring a circuit, plating a culinary masterpiece, or preparing for a future in the medical field, precision matters.

Think about the steady hand of a welder. The careful measurements of a carpenter. The detailed documentation of a nurse. The extraordinary fine motor control required of a surgeon. Cursive builds the foundational dexterity and concentration that support all of these skills.

In an age of fast information and constant scrolling, cursive encourages a slower, more intentional pace. It requires planning, sustained focus, and attention to detail — the same mental discipline needed to troubleshoot complex systems, follow safety protocols, or make critical decisions under pressure.

And isn’t this exactly why we want our students to have a well-rounded array of disciplines to be successful in their future career paths? Isn’t this why education exposes students to multiple subjects and skill sets as they grow from childhood into adulthood? Each discipline strengthens a different part of the mind and body. Together, they build adaptable, capable, and resilient individuals prepared to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving world.

Research continues to show that handwriting activates different parts of the brain than typing alone, strengthening memory, comprehension, and cognitive flexibility. That flexibility — the ability to adapt, problem-solve, and innovate — is what defines skilled professionals across every industry.

This is about more than signatures or tradition. It’s about building stronger thinkers, steadier hands, and sharper minds.

At BCIT Adult Education, we believe in giving students every advantage possible. Sometimes the most powerful tools we encounter in our trades are those that blend time-tested practice with modern application. This is something that AI can not replace!

Welcome back to the loops and tails. Let’s craft a brighter future — one intentional stroke at a time.

As Benjamin Franklin wisely said:

“He that hath a trade, hath an estate; and he that hath a calling, hath an office of profit and honor.”

- Dr. McAlpin

Published 2/17/26