Intended for administrators and policymakers as well as teachers, this digest explores the state of research into handwriting instruction and the printing versus cursive writing dilemma. After examining how handwriting is currently being taught, the digest discusses research supporting various kinds of printing instruction--block, italic, D'Nealian--prior to instruction in cursive. Research evidence indicates that printing styles do not make a difference but teaching printing should be retained in the lower grades because printing more closely resembles the letters found in typeset books. The digest then looks at the distinction between neatness and legibility in printing, making a case for moving all students, whatever the quality of their printing, into cursive instruction at the same time. Next, the digest explores the use of wide-lined paper and "fat" beginner's pencils, suggesting that the former is helpful while the latter is not. Finally, the digest looks at characteristics to remember when selecting a spelling program. (HTH)