AIDS Education in the Schools
Why is so much attention directed at HIV/AIDS education in the public schools?
Someday scientists may develop a vaccine to prevent HIV infection. Until
they do, the only way to prevent the spread of HIV and to halt the AIDS epidemic
is to educate those at greatest risk of infection.
Adolescents are a high-risk population. Their sexual behavior often includes
intercourse with more than one partner and infrequent use of condoms, making
them more vulnerable than adults to HIV infection. Young people generally
are more inclined to take risks than adults and often do not consider the
long-term consequences of their actions.
The New York State Department of Education requires age-appropriate HIV/AIDS
education from grades K through 12 to ensure that all young people have the
knowledge, motivation and ability to follow a healthy lifestyle and avoid
behaviors that put them at risk for HIV infection.
How common is HIV infection among adolescents?
Most cases of HIV remain undiagnosed. But the Department of Defense tests all military recruits for HIV infection. For the recruits tested between October 1985 and December 1993, the national rate of infection was one per 1,000. In New York City, nearly seven of every 1,000 recruits tested HIV-positive during the same period.
What has the UFT’s role been in the controversies at the Department of Education and community school boards regarding the content of HIV/AIDS education in the schools?
The UFT strongly supports implementation of AIDS education with maximum flexibility for teachers to teach the curriculum in the most effective manner. In 1992 the union successfully challenged a Department of Education resolution that would have allowed the DOE to micro-manage AIDS education. That resolution was overturned by the New York State Commissioner of Education.
Obtaining More Information
About AIDS
I’m concerned that I may already be infected with the HIV virus. Where can I get information about HIV testing?
Call one of the UFT’s HIV/AIDS resource specialists whose numbers are
listed on the inside front cover of this booklet. They will provide information
that will help you to decide whether or where to be tested.
If you prefer, you can call the New York State AIDS Counseling Hotline at
(800) 872-2777 for personal counseling over the phone, as well as for referrals
to local organizations that provide testing and services. The hotline operates
2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Tell me more about testing.
Because new treatments have been developed that can improve the health of
HIV patients and may prolong their lives, public health officials recommend
testing for anyone concerned that he or she may have been exposed to HIV.
Since HIV-positive individuals have been subject to significant discrimination
in employment, health care and housing, however, many people are afraid to
be tested.
Talking to a UFT specialist or a New York State hotline counselor will help
you decide what to do. These resource people also will provide information
about the differences between confidential and anonymous testing. Because
confidential results become part of your medical records, there is some risk
that they will be disclosed without your permission.
I need more information about protecting myself from HIV in my private life. I also want information about the AIDS epidemic that I can share with my family, friends and co-workers. Where can I get the information I want?
Once again, you can call the UFT’s HIV/AIDS resource specialists.
They can provide information and make referrals when necessary.
Another source of information is the New York State HIV/AIDS Information Service.
The hotline can be reached at (800) 541-AIDS between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday
through Friday or Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. When you call,
you can listen to informative tapes or speak directly to the service staff.
The staff can tell you where to get written information or refer you to local
community organizations that provide direct services, but do not provide counseling
themselves.
A similar service is provided in Spanish if you call (800) 233-7432.
