INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana's schools would be required to teach cursive writing under a bill approved by the state Senate.

Senators voted 36-13 Tuesday in favor of the proposal despite arguments from some senators that it represents an unwarranted mandate from the state on local school districts.

Bill sponsor Sen. Jean Leising of Oldenburg says she believes it's important that all children learn cursive writing even though the Indiana Department of Education in 2011 dropped it as a requirement in favor of one on student proficiency in keyboard use.

Leising says five other state legislatures have adopted similar cursive writing requirements.