BATON ROUGE - A proposal to require the teaching of cursive writing in Louisiana's public schools is near final legislative passage, after receiving overwhelming support from the state House.

The House voted 88-1 Thursday for the bill to require students to learn cursive reading and writing by the third grade. The Senate earlier had unanimously supported the proposal. It returns to the chamber for a vote on a House addition to the bill.

The proposed change would delay the requirement one year to allow teachers to purchase workbooks and develop lesson plans.

Sen. Beth Mizell, a Franklinton Republican, said her bill is aimed at ensuring Louisiana's children receive full educations and don't lose the chance to express themselves through a signature.