Formal cursive was taught to kids (including myself) rather poorly, with no emphasis on practical use or even readability. It was just supposed to look like the shit in the picture. It seems to have mostly fallen out of the curriculum in US elementary schools, it's not like they don't have plenty of other crap to teach by rote in its place.

But flowing connected lettering is not bad! Cursive : Print :: Touch Typing : Hunt & Peck

At some point I realized that I was developing my own cursive style, starting with print letterforms drawn without PENUP. It looks pretty decent, but my mom's formal cursive is amazing with a fine felt pen -- especially because her fingers aren't dextrous (she moves her whole arm) and she was forced to be right-handed as a child.