The Georgia Department of Education has designated four elementary schools in East Cobb as recipients of its John Hancock Award.
The awards are given to schools “that demonstrate excellence in cursive instruction” at the elementary and middle school levels.
Powers Ferry Elementary School—whose students have received Golden Pen Awards from the Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K in recent years—was the lone Cobb County School District school to be named a John Hancock Banner and Ribbon of Distinction recipient for the 2024-25 school year.
Those schools have at least 90 percent of their students who can write both their name and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution in cursive. A total of 93 schools in Georgia earned that designation, according to Georgia DOE.
The John Hancock Banner and Proficiency Ribbon recipients include Davis, Garrison Mill and Keheley elementary schools. At those schools, 90 percent of students can write their name in cursive, and they included 188 schools across the state.
The awards are designed to enhance state standards for English Language Arts, combining a mastery in handwriting with engaging with historical texts.
“As Georgia’s State School Superintendent and a former classroom teacher, I firmly believe learning cursive is more than just a writing skill – it’s a connection to history, critical thinking, and personal expression,” Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods said in a release.
“In an age of digital communication, the ability to read and write in cursive remains essential. Cursive writing builds cognitive connections that support literacy and learning across subjects. We’re committed to developing students who are not only college- and career-ready but also confident in their ability to read, write and think for themselves.”
Georgia is resuming the mandatory instruction of cursive in grades 3-5 starting with the coming school year.
Related:
- Cobb school board may end broadcasts of public comments
- Wheeler, Walton students receive National Merit Scholarships
- More leadership position changes made at East Cobb schools
- Georgia resumes mandatory cursive instruction in grade school
- Cobb schools won’t offer pouches for student cell-phone ban
- East Cobb students honored at Positive Athlete Awards event
- Cobb Schools Foundation board proposal would OK major donors
Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!
