The Comptroller's Offices of Research and Education Accountability (OREA) has added a new map to its website illustrating teen pregnancy rates in Tennessee.

The map is color-coded to reflect which counties have a pregnancy rate exceeding 19.5 per 1,000 females, ages 15-17. The map is based on the most current (2013) data published by the Tennessee Department of Health.

Tennessee Code Annotated 49-6-1302 requires all school districts in counties with a pregnancy rate exceeding 19.5 to create and implement a family life education program. Currently, 37 Tennessee counties have rates exceeding 19.5.

The interactive map also includes pregnancy rates for previous years, allowing users to track trends over time.

To view the Tennessee teen pregnancy map click here.

Tennessee Law requires a "Family Life" education program:

Tennessee Code Annotated 49-6-1302 requires all school districts in counties with a pregnancy rate exceeding 19.5 per 1,000 females, ages 15-17, to create and implement a family life education program.

Family life education programs are to be locally developed or districts may adopt the curriculum approved by the State Board of Education. Previous versions of the law required school districts to provide family life education for four years after exceeding the 19.5 rate; changes made to the law in 2012 (Public Chapter 973) deleted this requirement.

Under current law, districts must provide the instruction when they exceed the 19.5 rate, based on data maintained by the Department of Health, State Center for Health Statistics, and must make staffing decisions about the teaching of family life education year-to-year.