TITLE 126

LEGISLATIVE RULE

WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

SERIES 50A

AIDS EDUCATION POLICY (2422.4)

126-50A-1. General.

1.1. Scope. -- This legislative rule requires establishment of county policies related to AIDS education.

1.2. Authority. -- W.Va. Code 18-2-5, 18-2-7, 18-2-9, 18-5-15d, 18-5-34.

1.3. Filing Date. -- August 8, 1989.

1.4. Effective Date. -- September 20, 1989.

126-50A-2. Applicability.

Effective January 1, 1989 each of the fifty-five county boards of education will include AIDS prevention education in subject areas where it is appropriate such as health, science, developmental guidance, and social studies. The goal of this policy is to assist in the protection of students by providing them with the knowledge and skills necessary to avoid behaviors that will put them at risk of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

The rapid spread of this disease makes it necessary to develop policy that will assure that effective AIDS prevention programs are in place.

126-50A-3. Components.

The following components shall be addressed in each county board policy:

3.1. The integration of AIDS prevention education into health education in grades 6-12 and into other current programs of study such as science, developmental guidance and social studies as deemed appropriate by the county board of education.

3.2. Provision for all school staff to receive inservice training about:

3.2.1. the nature of the AIDS epidemic and means of controlling its spread.

3.2.2. the role of the school in providing education to prevent transmission.

3.3. Assurance that educational personnel responsible for classroom instruction receive staff development that will enable them to implement effective AIDS education.

3.3.1. Assurance that the programs be taught by qualified professionals who periodically participate in staff development activities that will provide current information related to AIDS education.

3.4. Assurance that the program is comprehensive and provides not only knowledge about the disease AIDS, but also has a focus on behaviors and skills necessary to prevent exposure to the virus. Guidelines, such as those published by the Centers for Disease Control in the January 29, 1988, MMWR, should be used in curriculum development.

3.5. Assurance that high school students, who have completed the health and science course requirement for graduation, receive appropriate AIDS prevention education.

3.6. Assurance that parents or guardians may attend staff development.

3.7. Provision for parents/guardians to examine curricular materials and exempt their child from AIDS instruction by giving written notice to the principal.

126-50A-4. Policy Implementation.

4.1. Each county should seek assistance of school leaders and community representatives in developing appropriate curricula.

4.2. A completed comprehensive health education curriculum, which includes AIDS education, is to be submitted to the State Superintendent of Schools by July 1, 1989.

4.3. Inclusion of AIDS education in curricular areas such as science, social studies and developmental guidance is warrented to assure total understanding of the disease and its consequences.

4.4. Technical assistance in curriculum development and staff development will be provided by the West Virginia Department of Education upon request.

NOTE: The following document is recommended for use in policy development and curriculum design.