Human Sexuality and AIDS Instructional Material

Public Education Department Regulation 6.12.3.9 requires each elementary, middle and high school to provide instruction about AIDS and related issues. This instruction includes an understanding of HIV disease and how it is transmitted; risk reduction methods, stressing abstinence; refusal skills; and information regarding resources for appropriate medical care. The regulation requires the involvement of parents, staff, and students in the development of policies and the review of instructional materials. APS designates grade five, middle school and high school required health classes as the means to deliver this instruction to students.

Guidelines

Public Education Department Regulation 6.12.3.10 requires the involvement of parents, staff; and students in the review of instructional materials used to deliver this content.  Instructional content of lessons about human sexuality and AIDS (including all audio visual and other materials to be used), must be planned and approved by a school committee every other year or when significant changes are made in instructional deliver.  The committee membership should include an administrator, counselor, health teacher(s), nurse, parent(s) and student(s).

When developing/reviewing the instructional program, the committee should consider the following:

• Provision of awareness information for all choices.
• Provision of accurate, unbiased and up-to-date information.
• Provision of instruction consistent with public health information.
• The age, gender and developmental appropriateness of the instructional program.
• Opportunities for students to learn decision making skills.
• Encouragement of family value discussion.
• Respect or diversity of beliefs.
• Small group instruction for sensitive topics.
• A plan to provide parent preview of the instructional program.
• A plan to provide parent notification of the instructional program.

For the use of videos, DVDs, or other instructional materials, the committee should consider the following:

• Capacity of videos, DVD, or instructional media to support the curriculum.
• Capacity to reach the personal interest level and ability of students.
• Compliance with all copyright laws and regulations.
• The “track record” of the video/DVD/instructional material based on previous instructional use.
• Local committee standards.

Parents must be afforded the opportunity to preview the program and instructional materials at least one week prior to presentation to the students.  In addition, parents must be notified as to the exact time and day if the school plans to sponsor a speaker in the classroom so parents have the opportunity to exempt their student from participation.

Permission of parents is not required for student participation in human sexuality or HIV instruction.  However, parents who do not wish their student to participate in the human sexuality or the AIDS instructional programs may contact the appropriate school personnel, and alternative educational activities will be provided for the students.

Procedures to follow if a parent requests exemption from human sexuality or HIV/AIDS instruction are outlined in the Exemptions from Health or Physical Education Curriculum directive.

Cross Ref.:

• Board Policy I.09: Teaching About Controversial or Sensitive Issues
• Board Policy K.01: Community Involvement

Instructional Directive:

• Exemptions from Health or Physical Education Curriculum

Legal Ref.:

• PED Regulation 6.12.3.9
• PED Regulation 6.12.3.10
  

NSBA/NEPN Classification: IJG

Revised: May 1995
Revised: April 1996
Revised: May 1997
Revised: August 2004