Date: Thu, 30 Mar 1995 12:02:01 EST From: Egcm To: Multiple recipients of list GLB-NEWS Subject: CALIFORNIA AIDS EDUCATION California Senate Votes to Expand AIDS Education in Schools Sacramento, CA (EGCM) The California Senate Education Committee passed legislation requiring California's schools to begin age-appropriate AIDS education in fifth grade, announced Robert Rios of the LIFE AIDS Lobby. Sponsored by LIFE, SB 101 by Senator Teresa Hughes (D-Los Angeles), requires elementary schools to teach AIDS education and awareness at least once In either fifth or sixth grade. Current law does not mandate an AIDS curriculum until the 7th grade, yet 2,193 elementary schools in California already provide AIDS education voluntarily. Rios reported that the number of teen AIDS cases in the United States doubles every 18 months, with over 981 cases among 13-24 year olds reported in California In the last two years. "California's youth desperately need early and accurate Information on HlV disease as part of a comprehensive health curriculum." Rios noted. "Waiting until junior high ignores the unfortunate reality that many students are already sexually-active, experimenting with drugs or are at high-risk for dropping out." Absent a cure and a vaccine, prevention education is the most effective weapon in the war on AIDS. "A wide coalition of health and education experts agree with Senator Hughes that students learn the facts on disease prevention and successful skills to apply their knowledge before risk behavior begins," Rios continued. "There is no excuse for delay." In addition to the LIFE AIDS Lobby, supporters of the measure include Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin, the State Department of Education, the California PTA, the California Teachers Association, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, the California School Nurses Association, the California School Boards Association, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and AIDS Project Los Angeles. The only opposition to the measure came from the Traditional Values Coalition and the Committee on Moral Concerns, reported Rios. SB 101 moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for a fiscal hearing later in the spring. "I am hopeful they will understand that funding early, accurate AIDS education is an Investment In California's future," Rios concluded. For more information contact: Robert Rios; LIFE Lobby; 926 J Street #522; Sacramento, CA 95814; 916-444-0424 voice; 916-444-3059 fax. The entire contents of The Electronic Gay Community Magazine are Copyright 1995 by The Land of Awes Computer Information System (telephone 316-269-0913 Voice, 316-269-4208 fax/modem) but may be reproduced by any means without permission from the publishers provided that this copyright notice remains with each article. Request the GCM.ARC or GCM.ZIP file for a copy of the magazine.