In a controversial shift, public elementary schools are now required to teach cursive writing before students complete the fifth grade. Illinois lawmakers in November voted to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of legislation that made cursive required teaching in schools. The law went into effect July 1 and will impact students in the 2018-19 school year. School districts will determine the grade level of instruction, but students must pass at least one unit of cursive writing by the end of fifth grade.