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The Oregon State Department of Education mandates age-appropriate curricula for all grade levels on infectious diseases, including AIDS, ARC, HIV, and Hepatitis B. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the extent to which AIDS education was occurring in three remote rural Oregon school districts; (2) to examine the focus of the curriculum across grade levels; and (3) to compare the instructional practices with the state guidelines. Two questionnaires were designed for application at elementary and secondary education levels. They reflect curricular objectives of the Oregon State Department of Education. The questions were constructed to determine if the teacher had implemented an AIDS education curriculum, and if so, how much time was devoted to each objective. In May 1990, the questionnaires were distributed to all elementary and secondary school teachers in the three small school districts. Results show that 53% of the elementary teachers and 23% of secondary teachers incorporated AIDS education into their curriculum. The results suggest that rural school districts may lack local policy and curricular programs for implementing AIDS education. The report contains tables of the objectives with the percent of teachers at each level addressing each objective, and the mean amount of time spent on each objective. This paper contains 18 references. (KS)

This study examined students' knowledge associated with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) and attitudes toward AIDS patients in three remote rural Oregon school districts. Subjects were 139 females and 149 males in 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10 grades. The questionnaire used in the study was designed to obtain information concerning knowledge and attitudes in the following areas: (1) modes by which AIDS is transmitted; (2) methods and importance of preventing the spread of AIDS; (3) identifying people with AIDS; and (4) interpersonal relationships with people diagnosed as having AIDS. An additional question addressed the source of student information about AIDS. Data was interpreted for the overall group, as well as for gender and grade. On the Knowledge of Transmission Scale the average percent correct was 84.5, with no significant differences between males and females. The average percent correct for seventh graders was significantly less than that for higher levels. On the Knowledge of Prevention Scale, students scored a mean of 68.6% correct, with significant differences in gender and grade. No gender or grade differences were found on the Recognition of AIDS Scale, with a mean score of 68.8% correct. The scale dealing with Attitudes Towards AIDS Victims yielded a mean score of 73.0%, with a significantly higher mean for females. The school was the most frequently cited source of knowledge about AIDS. Results suggest that schools must provide effective AIDS education to their students. (KS)

A questionnaire administered to 288 seventh- through tenth-grade students in 3 rural Oregon school districts revealed students' knowledge concerning the transmission and prevention of AIDS, student attitudes toward AIDS patients, and source of student knowledge; showed improvement over a previous survey of middle school students; and confirms the need for effective AIDS education. (LP)