As Illinois schools begin the new academic year, several new laws will impact classroom instruction:
- Native American Education: Public elementary and high schools are now required to include a unit on Native American history in their social studies curriculum. The Illinois State Board of Education will provide guidelines for developing these lessons, which should highlight Native American contributions across various fields.
- Fentanyl Education: High school students will receive mandatory instruction on the dangers of fentanyl in their health courses. This will cover both legal and illegal uses of the drug, its potential for being laced with other substances, and its impact, as reflected in the high number of opioid overdoses in the state.
