The pen may be mightier then the sword, but it apparently is not mightier then the computer keyboard, reports the Washington Post.

The newspaper reports that when handwritten essays were introduced on the 2006 SAT exams, less then 15 percent of the 1.5 million students wrote their answers in cursive. The rest printed, in block letters.

Many schools across the country see penmanship as a relic. Students no longer get much instruction in traditional writing in the early grades. At many schools it is less then 10 minutes a day. Computer keyboard instruction is often several hours.

The Post says students in Fairfax County, Virginia, are taught keyboarding beginning in kindergarten. This appears to be the trend around the country.

Many educators say when they have stacked up programs teaching technology, foreign languages and the material to get good scores on standardized tests, penmanship often comes up short in the time frame.

"It's hard to fit in," said Pat Fege, Fairfax County schools language arts coordinator. "The goal now is only to produce legible handwriting. It's just not the vehicle it once was."

"I can't think of any other place you need cursive as an adult other then to sign your name," said Keene Mill Elementary School teacher Debbie Mattocks.

She also said she only teaches her group of gifted and talented third graders cursive writing only once a week.

"That is only so they can read it (cursive)," she adds.