Computer Off, Pencil Up: Course Helps Kids Get a Grip on Writing

This year, the community center and Davis are teaming up to provide handwriting classes throughout the school year.

"I have always had a waiting list," said Davis, who teaches full time and often gives private lessons and trains other parents. "And I tutor quite a few doctors."

Schultz, who said she heard about Davis from a friend whose young son gets private lessons, said there is a misconception that children do not need good handwriting skills because of the emphasis on technology.

"They still do write so much in the lower grades," she said.

Handwriting and formal penmanship classes went out of style in the 1970s, said Jan Olsen of Bethesda, an occupational therapist who founded Handwriting Without Tears in 1977 after seeing her son struggle.

At that time, she said, there was a push to stop caring so much about handwriting and focus more on the content of students' work. Along with the increased emphasis on technology and computers, it has created a generational gap that companies like hers are trying to fill.

Olsen said an increased awareness about the importance of good writing appears to be changing things. The key moment, Olsen said, came in 2006, when the SAT exams introduced a handwritten essay portion.

Since then, parents, teachers and schools are again recognizing the need for handwriting instruction, she said.

"Handwriting has been going out of favor for many years, and it's just now coming back," Olsen said. "The reason these children can't write is because we aren't teaching them.

"Our business this year is up 25 percent," Olsen said, adding that her company has about 500 workshops for teachers, parents and trainers nationwide each year.

Although many school districts provide only minimal handwriting instruction, some are starting to come around, she said.

Last week, Olsen trained teachers from Virginia's Chesapeake public school system, which decided to roll out Handwriting Without Tears this fall. The program has also been used by schools in Arlington and Prince George's counties and the District.