(A) In addition to the requirements that writing and arithmetic be subjects of instruction in each school district pursuant to § 59-29-10, each school district shall:

(1) provide instruction in cursive writing to ensure that students can create readable documents through legible cursive handwriting by the end of fifth grade; and

(2) require students to memorize multiplication tables to ensure that students can effectively multiply numbers by the end of fifth grade.

(B) The State Department of Education shall assist the school districts in identifying the most appropriate means for integrating this requirement into their existing curriculums. Additionally, the department, using procedures followed for other textbook adoptions, shall review and recommend cursive writing instructional materials for inclusion on the approved state textbook adoption list. Schools may select these materials in the same manner that other textbooks are selected from the list.