I believe that Hunter Safety courses, as a general rule, have helped to decrease the number of hunting accidents nearly every where they are required. My 7th grade teacher took it upon himself to provide a basic course each year and this well before it was required in Wisconsin where I grew up.
I would suggest however that the schools today are hardly the place for it to be taught. Our so called educators, can' t seem to get it together enough to provide a basic education in their chosen fields of expertise let alone something this important. Leave Hunter Education in the hands of NRA/State certified instructors that have a vested interest in the sport.