Oregon's Revised School-Based HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Requirements

Introduction

In 1988, the Oregon State Board of Education passed a plan of instruction regarding HIV prevention that became part of the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR 581-22- 1440). The rule required school districts to incorporate instruction about infectious diseases, including HIV, “as an integral part of the health education curriculum throughout its elementary, middle, and senior grade levels.” Accordingly, HIV prevention education must conform with the board- adopted Health Education Common Curriculum goals (OAR 581-22-1210 and 581-922.1030). In addition, students in grades 9 - 12 were required to receive such instruction annually. The board policy gave responsibility for developing the plan of instruction to a local advisory group composed of parents, teachers, school administrators, local health depart­ment staff, representatives from the medical profession, and other community representatives. All plans were to be approved by local school boards, and offer parents the option to exempt their children from such instruction.