VD Education in California: A Review of Ideas, Programs, Methods, and Resources.

Overview & Synopsis

This publication describes three years of a major venereal disease education effort in California resulting from mutual cooperation of the State Departments of Education and Health, county school and health officials, and local school districts and community agencies. It represents the views of numerous leaders in the field of VD education and documents programs that have charted directions for future efforts. The first section summarizes the extent of the problem and outlines the philosophical and programmatic approach to VD education formulated by the staff of the Venereal Disease Education Project. In its first three years, the Project offered training and technical assistance to some 10,000 administrators, teachers, health professionals, parents, and students. The staff also developed publications and audiovisual materials to assist VD educators. The second section focuses on actual VD education programs and highlights four exemplary efforts. Following this, reflections and opinions on VD education from concerned legislators, educators, public health officials, school board members, and students are offered. The booklet concludes with suggestions for classroom activities and other resources that will be helpful to those charged with implementing VD programs, including a sample of classroom activities, techniques for evaluating VD education programs, and discussion of laws affecting VD instruction. (MM)