Delivery of AIDS Prevention Education to Students with Disabilities: Implication for Preservice and Inservice Education.

Overview & Synopsis

A survey of 36 Maryland public school systems and public and nonpublic special education schools investigated the range and intensity of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) prevention education for students with disabilities. The survey found that the delivery model in most public schools was that of a regular educator and special educator both delivering AIDS prevention education. Although all systems in Maryland are required to provide inservice training for all faculty and staff about AIDS, only eight districts reported providing special education teachers with this inservice training, and only one school system reported that the inservice was different for special education teachers. Instructional procedures used included having a separate or adapted AIDS prevention curriculum for students with disabilities, using adapted materials, and assessing the mastery of competencies of students with disabilities. All of the public school systems indicated that they sent parents information about AIDS, while only two nonpublic special education schools did so. Schools reported a need for curricula, instructional materials, parent education, and staff development. Preservice and inservice teacher education recommendations are offered. The importance of collaboration between the regular health educator and the special educator is emphasized. (JDD)