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 National Middle School Association, conducted a needs assessment of middle level HIV/STD prevention programs from the perspective of representatives from state education agencies (SEA) and local education agencies (LEA). Data were collected from 84% of states (SEAs) and 88% of cities (LEAs) funded by CDC to conduct HIV/STD prevention activities. A range of activities are occurring in school-based HIV/STD prevention for early adolescents in grades 5-8. However, a prevailing characteristic among states was the high degree to which local control and local decision making affects programming in schools. Needs of SEAs and LEAs are similar as reflected by the need for continued improvement of middle level HIV/STD prevention education. A concrete result was the multitude of requests for effective HIV/STD curricula for middle level students. In addition, administrators shared similar needs for an increase in time allotment for health instruction. Most SEAs (65%) and LEAs (77%) believed that time for health education in the classroom would increase if a nation-wide mandate existed resulting in appropriate standards and assessments for all middle level and high school students.