The State Board of Education has approved a new rule, making schools accountable for providing substance abuse education.
The rule requires school districts to report a plan for teaching K-12 substance abuse education curriculum. Districts have to tell the state what courses substance abuse curriculum will be taught in, in each grade level. They also have to detail the professional qualifications of the teacher, as well as what materials will be used in the course.
Commissioner Richard Corcoran says the instruction will give students skills to "ward off the temptations that might confront them."
Earlier this year, the state board approved another rule requiring five hours of mental health instruction per year for middle and high school students.
