The debate is raging on whether we should continue to teach our children cursive or just let it quietly die away. Those on both sides of the issue are passionate about the topic.

Ann Marie Friedrick, a home educator and speaker from Scholls, Ore., feels that cursive is on its way out. "In our current society, let's face facts, word processors have taken over the majority of written correspondence," says Friedrick. "Everything from personal letter writing to college and work reports are done via computer. On a scale of one to 10, good cursive skills would measure a five, in my opinion."

Other parents, such as Susan Viator from Gresham, Ore., agree. "In 2004, cursive handwriting is an anachronism," says Viator. "I think it's somewhat important for a child to be able to read cursive (letters from Grandma are good for that!), but very unimportant for one to be able to write it."

Erin Brown Conroy, parenting expert and handwriting teacher disagrees. "No matter what our technological advances, handwriting will always be used functionally and as an art form," says Conroy.