State Education Standards for Tobacco Prevention and Classroom Instruction

Abstract

Objectives We examine whether state educational standards regarding tobacco correspond with teacher reports of classroom instruction. Methods We test this relation with data on tobacco use prevention standards, reports of middle and high school teachers from the 2008 and 2010 School Health Profiles study, and logistic regression models. Results State education standards are significantly related to increased likelihood of a lead health education teacher in that state reporting that the specific topic was taught in the school. These relationships are stronger for middle school teachers than for high school teachers. Conclusions Associations between state standards and teacher reports of actual instruction are consistent with education standards influencing the teaching of these health education topics.

Effects of state education requirements for substance use prevention

“…Second, we do not observe some important characteristics of the teachers or schools. Regarding teachers, whereas we do have evidence that state ATOD education standards correlate positively with teacher reports of ATOD instruction (Carpenter, Bruckner, Domina, Gerlinger, & Wakefield, 2015), we do not observe how well prepared or efficacious they are in delivering ATOD instruction. Regarding schools, we do not observe the content or enforcement of other policies toward youth substance use.…”