printing is slower, cursive is faster, once learned. But I guess
  i can see maybe teaching touch typing BEFORE cursive (like,
  teach cursive in 7th grade and typing in 3rd grade) that would
  make sense nowadays. I guess I can see it being made optional -
  still, it seems strange - maybe it takes too long to learn
  cursive when math/science could get priorities... be curious to
  find out the reasons. "