School Policy for School Policy for

HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS

Importance of School Importance of School PolicyPolicy

Rationale: A sound HIV policy will provide theRationale: A sound HIV policy will provide the

following:following: guidance to educatorsguidance to educators

reassurance to families, students, and staffreassurance to families, students, and staff

legal protection for schoolslegal protection for schools

support for people with HIV and AIDSsupport for people with HIV and AIDS

Elements of School PolicyElements of School Policy

Legal context for policy development andLegal context for policy development and

revision includes:revision includes:

Americans with Disabilities ActAmericans with Disabilities Act

Individuals with Disabilities Education ActIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974

School Policy and School Policy and AttendanceAttendance

Students with HIV have the right to attend Students with HIV have the right to attend school.school.

Educational placement of HIV infected Educational placement of HIV infected students must be made on a case-by-case students must be made on a case-by-case basis.basis.

A respectful school climate should be A respectful school climate should be maintained.maintained.

Verbal or physical harassment must Verbal or physical harassment must notnot be be allowed.allowed.

School Policy and School Policy and EmploymentEmployment

School districts should not discriminate on the School districts should not discriminate on the basis of HIV.basis of HIV.

Employees can continue to work as long as Employees can continue to work as long as they can perform their duties.they can perform their duties.

Reasonable accommodations should be Reasonable accommodations should be provided.provided.

School Policy and PrivacySchool Policy and Privacy

Students and employees disclosure Students and employees disclosure of HIV/AIDS status is of HIV/AIDS status is notnot required. required.

ConfidentialityConfidentiality must be maintained.must be maintained.

School Policy and School Policy and CurriculumCurriculum

Age appropriate prevention education should Age appropriate prevention education should be provided in grades K-12.be provided in grades K-12.

Related ServicesRelated Services Provide access to voluntary information, and Provide access to voluntary information, and

confidential ,age and developmentally confidential ,age and developmentally appropriate counseling about matters related appropriate counseling about matters related to HIV infection.to HIV infection.

School Policy and Infection School Policy and Infection ControlControl

Infection control guidelines should be Infection control guidelines should be established and enforced.established and enforced.

Schools should promote Coordinated School Schools should promote Coordinated School Health Programs.Health Programs.

HIV prevention education is needed to promote HIV prevention education is needed to promote healthful living and discourage behaviors that healthful living and discourage behaviors that put people at risk for acquiring HIV.put people at risk for acquiring HIV.

School Policy and Staff School Policy and Staff Development:Development:

All school employees should participate inAll school employees should participate in

staff development components including:staff development components including: factual and current information.factual and current information. infection control procedures.infection control procedures. school policy related to HIV and AIDS.school policy related to HIV and AIDS. parent and community relations.parent and community relations. annual reviews.annual reviews.

School Policy Resources:School Policy Resources:

National Association of State Boards of EducationNational Association of State Boards of Education

1012 Cameron Street1012 Cameron Street

Alexandria, Virginia 22314Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Phone (703) 684-4000 E-mail www.boards@orgPhone (703) 684-4000 E-mail www.boards@org

CDC AIDS HotlineCDC AIDS Hotline 800-342-AIDS800-342-AIDS

LouisianaLouisiana

• AIDS HotlineAIDS Hotline 800-992-4279800-992-4279

• OSHAOSHA 504-342-9601504-342-9601

• HIV EducationHIV Education 504-342-9215504-342-9215