State Board of Education: Title 13A.04.18.04
.04 HIV/AIDS Prevention Education
A. General
1. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a major health problem for which no cure or effective treatment has been found, and AIDS education is critical in preventing the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS.
2. Local school systems shall provide annual instruction in AIDS to all students at least once in grades 3 to 6, 6 to 9, and 9 to 12.
3. The local board of education shall determine the three grades between 3 and 12 at which all students are to receive instruction.
4. Students may be excused from the instructional unit on HIV/AIDS prevention upon a written request from their parents/guardians. For those students excused from the unit, the local school shall provide other worthwhile learning activities in another health-related area. When practical, curricular materials may be made available by the school system for home instruction use by parents/guardians of the students excused from HIV/AIDS prevention instruction in the school.
5. Content and curricular topics shall be appropriate to the age, interests, and needs of students, giving particular regard to students at the early learning level.
6. Pursuant to instructional guidelines developed by the State Department of Education and as appropriate for the age of the students, curricular topics shall include:
a. The definition and description of HIV/AIDS;
b. Symptoms and complications associated with HIV/AIDS and related disorders
c. Means by which HIV is transmitted;
d. Diagnosis and treatment of AIDS;
e. Methods of prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS; and
f. Information on the available research concerning HIV/AIDS
B. Curriculum Development and Review
1. The local school system shall maintain a curriculum in HIV/AIDS prevention education in consultation with the local health department and may use resources available from the State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the State Department of Education.
2. The local school system shall use an existing committee or appoint a committee comprised of educators, representatives of the community including parents/guardians of students enrolled in a public school program, and the local health department, which shall examine all instructional materials proposed for use in HIV/AIDS prevention education curriculum. Recommendations from this committee shall be submitted to the local superintendent of schools and the local board of education for final action. All aspects of the curriculum shall be reviewed by the committee at least annually to assure that is accurate and current.
C. Training and Awareness Programs
1. Teacher Training. School staff selected to teach HIV/AIDS prevention curricular topics in the classroom shall receive in-service education before initiating instruction with students, and annually after that. The content of the in-service education program shall be designed in consultation with the local health department.
