The status of middle level HIV/STD education as assessed by state and local education agencies

During spring 1998 RAD Educational Programs, in cooperation with the Nation al Middle School Association, conducted a needs assessment of middle level HIV/STD prevention programs from the perspective of representatives from st ate education agencies (SEA) and local education agencies (LEA). Data were collected from 84% of states (SEAs) and 88% of cities cities (LEAs) funded by CDC to conduct HIV/STD prevention activities. A range of activities acti vities are occurring in school-based HIV/STD prevention Sol early adolescen ts in grades 5-8. However, a prevailing characteristic among states It as t he high degree to which local control and local decision making affects pro gramming in schools. Needs of SEAs and LEAs are similar as reflected by the need for continued improvement of middle level HIV/STD prevention educatio n. A concrete result teas the multitude of requests for effective HIV/STD c urricula for middle level students. iii addition, administration shared sim ilar needs for an increase in time allotment for health instruction. Most S EAs (65%) and LEAs (77%) believed that time for health education in the cla ssroom would increase if a nationwide mandate existed resulting in appropri ate standards and assessments for all middle level and high school students .