j----_. - New York Civil Liberties Union

Mahopac 241
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Foreword
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. . . .
The Regents and the Commissioner intend
that any teaching about AIDS be conducted only
within a comprehensive program of instruction
in positive health values and habits. Pupils
should be taught self-respect and respect for others.
They should learn to act in ways which promote
their own healthy growth and development
and to avoid acts which may bring harm or injury.
They should learn to be responsible for
their own behavior and for the consequences it
may have on themselves and other people. They
should learn to appreciate the value of the nurturing
relationships that occur within stable fam-
. Illes, They should bet.;ught to abstain from sex.
They should be led to understand that postponing
sexual activity until adulthood increases
one's positive life choices for c.¡reer and muríage,
Only within such a context of positive
teaching about he.1lth and personal responsibility
should instruction about AIDS be provided.
This publication is designed to provide school administrators
and teachers with information and approaches
needed to address AIDS (Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome) instruction within a comprehensive
health education program in accordance with
Commissioners Regulations (see Appendix A). AIDS
is a disease about which we need to know more and for
which there is no cure. ft has resulted in death to persons
havins the disease, and can affect everyone in a
community.
Education is the most valuable tool against the
sptead of HIV (HWlW\ Immunodeficiency Virus) infection
and the disease AIDS. Such education is associ-
. ated with moral, religious, and legal values that require
examinatkm by school administrators, teachers, parentIlJ\d
guardiant, students, representatives of community
health and religioUI organizations, and others .
This ensures that the AIDS instructional program deals
with the public health threat while reflecting the established
values associated with promoting positive health
behaviors for schdol-age childten and youth.
(Health AIDS Instructio'nal Gui.de: Grades
K-l2, vii)
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