Relating to: incorporating cursive writing into the state model English language arts standards and requiring cursive writing in elementary grades. (FE)
AB 3 requires Wisconsin schools to incorporate cursive writing into the state English language arts curriculum standards and mandates that all elementary schools teach cursive writing as a core skill. Specifically, it requires public schools, charter schools, and private schools participating in parental choice programs to ensure students can write legibly in cursive by the end of fifth grade. The law applies to all elementary grades (K-5) and takes effect by July 1, 2026, though it excludes union high school districts. This policy change directly affects elementary school curricula across Wisconsin, requiring a specific skill-based objective in language arts education.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Assembly Passage
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 3, 2025
Last action Mar 23, 2026
Floor votes · Assembly Feb 19, 2025
How they voted
50–47
Passed
Total votes 97
Feb 19, 2025
D
Democratic44
100% Nay
R
Republican53
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
17
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Amendments
1
Mar 23, 2026
Amended
Failed to concur in pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
upper
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 51, Noes 46
lower
Feb 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Report passage recommended by Committee on Education, Ayes 8, Noes 5
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Representatives Melotik, Behnke, Brill, Dittrich, Donovan, Goodwin, Gundrum, Knodl, Kreibich, Murphy, Mursau, Tusler, Vos, Wichgers and Piwowarczyk;
cosponsored by Senators Nass, Cabral-Guevara and Wanggaard
lower
15 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Barbara Dittrich
RRepublican
P
Bob Donovan
RRepublican
P
Chuck Wichgers
RRepublican
P
Dan Knodl
RRepublican
P
Dave Murphy
RRepublican
P
Elijah Behnke
RRepublican
P
Jeff Mursau
RRepublican
P
Jim Piwowarczyk
RRepublican
P
Lindee Brill
RRepublican
P
Paul Melotik
RRepublican
P
Rick Gundrum
RRepublican
P
Rob Kreibich
RRepublican
P
Robin Vos
RRepublican
P
Ron Tusler
RRepublican
P
Russell Goodwin
DDemocratic
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