LAUREL SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT

HIV Prevention Education                                                                                                 Policy #6142.13

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The board of education believes HIV education should be integrated into the comprehensive health education curriculum, but may also be applied to other curriculum areas.

The district HIV education program must address, at a minimum, the nature, transmission, prevention and effects of the disease. The program shall be provided through a coordinated sequential elementary curriculum taking into consideration the age, growth, development and maturity of the pupils and the subject matter of the course. Development of the program should take into account the instructional needs of all pupils in the district.

The chief school administrator shall ensure that the information presented as a part of the HIV prevention education program is articulated in such a way that transition from grade to grade will be appropriate for all pupils.

The chief school administrator shall be responsible for the preparation and development of an HIV prevention education program, with active consultation and participation of an advisory committee* consisting of teachers, administrators, parents/guardians, pupils (as appropriate), physicians, members of social and health service agencies, members of the clergy and representative members of the community. The board shall appoint the members of the committee upon the recommendation of the chief school administrator. The advisory committee shall be responsible for reviewing the instructional program and all materials to be used and, through the chief school administrator, of recommending same for board adoption.

The chief school administrator shall ensure that all staff involved in teaching the HIV prevention education program are properly certified for the subject area in which they are teaching and adequately prepared to teach the material. As necessary, appropriate staff training shall be provided.

Upon the request of parents or guardians, the HIV education curriculum shall be made available for their review. The chief school administrator shall establish procedures whereby pupils whose parent/guardian presents to the school principal a signed statement that a designated part of the instruction is in conflict with his/her conscience, or moral or religious belief, shall be excused from that part of the program. The independent study shall include alternative topics that do not conflict with the parent/guardian�s beliefs but fall within the same subject area (i.e., comprehensive health education) as the program from which the pupil is excused. No penalties to credit or graduation shall result from such an exemption.

* An advisory committee is an effective means used by districts when the law specifies that curriculum be developed through appropriate consultation and participation of groups and individuals.

The chief school administrator shall establish a process for evaluating and updating the HIV prevention education program to incorporate new information. Any such revisions shall be implemented after consultation with and review by an advisory committee as described above.

The board of education alone, upon the recommendation of the chief school administrator, shall determine the content, sequence, and materials of the HIV prevention education program.

First Reading:  February 2008

Adopted:

Legal References:               N.J.S.A. 18A:33-1 District to furnish suitable facilities; adoption of courses of study

                                                N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.7              Parents statement of conflict with conscience

                                                N.J.A.C. 6:29-4.1(e)              General requirements