Is there a need for learning cursive?

It's my opinion that cursive writing was invented, not to speed writing or make it easier, but rather was invented to use with quill/nib/fountain pens. I'm probably the last generation that learned to write cursive with a nib pen, and even then it was because my third grade teacher was old fashioned. Writing with a nib pen is more of an exercise in 'painting' with ink than with continuous writing. A connected form of writing was needed when this was the case, thus cursive was born. We now use gel or ballpoint pens, and it is a rarity to see a fountain pen. Indeed, I was never good at writing, and once I learned to touch type in ninth grade, I gave up on cursive and handwriting as much as I could at the time. When I have to write on the board or hand write a message, I usually just print.

We now have keyboards that are almost completely silent, and unlike handwriting, writing faster does not affect legibility, and so is a distinct advantage, even if we type on smartphones using only our thumbs.

We teach it in 3rd in my district. My students LOVE learning it! They actually write a lot nicer than when they print. I know it's not a tested subject so I can see how it can get phased out in many places.

I love teaching it and seeing the excitement on my students' faces when they finally get how to write the letters.

Personally, I do not teach cursive. I would much rather teach the students to write print properly, especially when I have so many kids who write things like "soaP". It drives me NUTS that those "letter tails" (as I call them) are not done properly. I can see a need for learning to read cursive, even in a tech age, because of the many kinds of fonts available. But not to write it. That's my 2 cents.