You asked if any school districts in Connecticut, Massachusetts, or New York require or provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) courses for their students.

CONNECTICUT

Local education agencies and schools decide whether to offer CPR courses. The Connecticut Department of Education (SDE) does not track this information, nor does the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education. But SDE's publication "The Connecticut Framework: K-12 Curricular Goals and Standards" suggests middle and high schools provide first aid and CPR training to their students. Specifically, it recommends that schools provide educational experiences to assure that students in grades (1) five through eight can demonstrate basic first aid and CPR techniques and (2) nine through 12 can demonstrate emergency procedures, including basic first aid and CPR techniques.

We spoke with representatives of school districts and state associations and performed several computer searches but were unable to positively identify districts requiring or providing CPR training. We will pass on to you any future information we may receive.

MASSACHUSETTS

According to its Department of Education, Massachusetts requires students to take health classes, but neither its laws nor its regulations require first aid or CPR components.

NEW YORK

According to the Comprehensive Health and Pupil Services division of the New York Department of Education, New York does not have a CPR education requirement. Despite several recent attempts to put such a requirement in the statutes, the legislature has consistently rejected such a mandate.

JG: eh