Why was the entire 3rd grade dedicated to learning cursive?

I am thinking back to 3rd grade. many many many years ago. All I remember was being taught cursive the entire year, or at least that was the main focus. I've only used it to sign my name since then. It was pointless and really not important at that age. If anything, they should just teach it to you real quick in junior high school so that you can learn how to sign your name. I also remember my 3rd grade teacher, who I would imaging is rotting in hell right now, calling my parents on a weekly basis because I wasn't closing my e's and I kept screwing up the z's. It apparently was a big deal. I find it stupid and I hope that they don't spend too much time on cursive on today's youth.