Being pre-computer age, I probably wrote miles of cursive script in school, from first grade through university. Without style, or form; the thought of the rules in the link by mauvepink make me cringe.
Like bettynh, I took Russian, and also German and French- ability to read the latter two being a requirement for an advanced degree.

Now I seldom write cursively; only the grocery list, post-it notes, and my signature.
Yes, time in school could be put to better use.